India has announced sweeping tax reforms that make plant-based foods more affordable, a move that could significantly boost vegan consumption across the country. According to VegNews, the changes come just as President Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods went into effect at the end of August, with India responding by lowering its own Goods and Services Tax (GST) on a wide range of products.
Among the biggest winners are dairy alternatives. Soy milk, once taxed at 12 percent, now falls to just five percent. Other plant-based milks, including oat and almond, have also been slashed from 18 percent to five percent. Nuts, avocados, mushrooms, soy chunks, juices, and other vegan-friendly foods are also covered by the cuts.
While meat and dairy also saw some reductions — paneer, for example, is now tax exempt — the lower rates are making vegan options more competitive than ever. Analysts suggest the move will not only encourage healthier diets but also stimulate business, ease inflation, and increase demand for sustainable food alternatives.
The timing is perfect for India’s fast-growing vegan industry. Valued at $612 million in 2021, it is projected to reach nearly $1.9 billion by 2030. Vegetarianism already has deep cultural and religious roots in India, but recent surveys show that modern demand is increasingly driven by health, nutrition, and awareness of lactose intolerance. A 2025 Ipsos report revealed that over half of Indian consumers plan to increase their consumption of plant-based dairy, while 41 percent intend to eat more vegan meats.
India’s shift underscores how food choices connect to global sustainability. By making vegan foods more affordable, the government is not only promoting better diets but also helping reduce the environmental strain of animal agriculture.
For anyone who cares about protecting the environment, supporting animals, and improving well-being, this is a win worth celebrating. Choosing vegan options has never been easier — or more impactful.
Sign These Petitions!
Please sign our latest and most urgent petitions to help the planet. Every signature counts!
Related Content:
Easy Ways to Help the Planet:
- Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
- Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
- Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Stand against fast fashion Pollution by supporting circular brands like Tiny Rescue, which create cause-based collections using recycled, zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade, ensuring it never ends up in a landfill.
- Shop Sustainably for Your Home: Visit SustaiNOBLE.org, an eco-friendly and ethically sourced home decor store that will empower your home with luxurious fair-trade, and sustainable products made by global artisans.
- Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
- Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
- Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!
