Gelatin Export from India: Quality, Compliance & Packaging

India has emerged as a notable player in the global gelatin export market, supplying a highly versatile industrial ingredient to industries around the world. Whether used in food products, pharmaceuticals, confectionery, cosmetics, or technical applications, gelatin represents a unique value-added export commodity derived primarily from animal by-products such as hides and bones. This article explores India’s gelatin export ecosystem with a detailed focus on quality parameters, compliance requirements, and packaging standards — the three pillars underpinning global competitiveness in this sector.

1. The Global Significance of Gelatin

Gelatin is a soluble protein obtained by hydrolyzing collagen, which is present in animal skin, bones, and connective tissues. Its functional properties — gelling, thickening, stabilizing, film-forming, and emulsifying — make it indispensable in multiple industries:

• Food & Beverage: confectionery (gummy candies, marshmallows), dairy (yoghurt stabilizers), desserts, and bakery products.

• Pharmaceuticals: as the material for capsules, tablets, and certain vaccine formulations.

• Cosmetics & Personal Care: used in creams, serums, face masks, and hair care products.

• Technical Uses: photography, biodegradable films, adhesives, and specialty glues.

Over the last decade, rising global demand for health and wellness products, combined with increasing applications in food and pharma industries, has made gelatin exports a strategic opportunity for Indian manufacturers.

2. India’s Position in the Gelatin Export Landscape

According to global trade data, India exported gelatin and gelatin derivatives worth approximately USD 61 million in 2023, totaling over 7.35 million kilograms of product shipped worldwide.

Among the leading destinations for Indian gelatin exports in 2023 were:

• United States – ~21% share of export value (~USD 12.8 million)

• Indonesia – ~16.4% (~USD 10.07 million)

• Belgium – ~12.6% (~USD 7.75 million)

• Japan, Croatia, Korea, Vietnam, UK, Romania, Russia – notable market segments as well.

These figures indicate that Indian gelatin competes strongly across multiple continents — from North America to Southeast Asia and Europe — thanks to cost advantages, flexible production capabilities, and scalable supply chains.

3. Quality Foundations: Ensuring Premium Gelatin for Export

For Indian exporters, quality is not optional — it is the cornerstone of international acceptance.

a) Raw Material Sourcing

Gelatin quality starts with raw materials — typically bones and skins from bovine, porcine, or fish sources. The source directly influences:

• Physicochemical properties such as gel strength (Bloom value), viscosity, and molecular weight distribution.

• Buyer preferences: Some markets demand bovine gelatin, while others require marine or fish-based gelatin due to dietary or religious considerations.

Strict sourcing policies ensure that raw materials are free from contamination, sourced from healthy animals, and accompanied by traceable documentation regarding animal health and origin.

b) Functional Specifications

Export buyers often define strict performance criteria, including:

• Bloom value (gel strength): determines gelling ability, critical for food and pharmaceutical uses.

• Viscosity: important for processing and mixing behavior.

• pH and moisture content: to ensure product stability and predictable functionality.

• Microbiological purity: low levels of microbes are mandatory for food and dietary uses.

Meeting these specifications requires modern hydrolysis processes and laboratory quality control systems capable of precision testing and documentation.

c) Certification Standards

Accepted quality frameworks include:

• FSSAI standards: Indian Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulates edible gelatin quality and hygiene controls.

• ISO and GMP certifications: demonstrate consistent quality management and compliance with international norms.

• Halal, Kosher or Organic certifications: important for access to Middle Eastern, Jewish dietary, and organic-focused markets.

International buyers particularly value third-party quality certificates, which act as a stamp of assurance that the product will meet stringent end-use requirements.

4. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements for Export

Exporting gelatin from India requires adherence to a complex intersection of Indian and international regulatory frameworks. These standards are designed to protect public health and ensure transparent global trade.

a) Export Documentation

Key documents commonly required for gelatin exports include:

• Import Export Code (IEC): issued by India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

• Commercial Invoice & Packing List: detailed declarations of product values, weights, descriptions, and export terms.

• Bill of Lading / Airway Bill: logistic documentation linking goods to specific transport modes.

• Certificate of Origin: confirms the product’s Indian origin, often necessary for preferential tariff arrangements.

Failure to file accurate or complete documentation can result in shipment delays or customs holds.

b) Compliance with FSSAI and DGFT Norms

Gelatin destined for food or pharmaceutical use must comply with FSSAI regulations, which set safety and labelling standards to protect consumer health.

Additionally, DGFT norms guide export licensing and define permissible categories — especially for products derived from animal origins, which face heightened scrutiny.

c) Health and Veterinary Certificates

Many importing countries demand official health or veterinary certificates confirming:

• Animal health before slaughter.

• Disease exclusions (e.g., foot-and-mouth disease, BSE concerns).

• Approved slaughterhouse inspections and traceability records.

For example, countries concerned about animal disease vectors may require vet certificates that adhere to international guidelines.

d) Halal and Religious Dietary Compliance

Gelatin that enters markets in the Middle East or Islamic countries often requires Halal certification, which verifies that the animal sources and processing conditions meet Islamic dietary laws. Similarly, Kosher certification may be needed for certain export destinations.

These certifications, while sometimes cumbersome to obtain, unlock premium pricing and wider market access.

5. Packaging: Safeguarding Quality Through Logistics

Effective packaging is more than just protection — it is an integral part of compliance and brand identity in international trade.

a) Primary and Secondary Packaging

Gelatin exporters typically package products in:

• Sealed food-grade inner liners or bags for bulk gelatin powder.

• Corrugated cartons for secondary protection.

• Drums or containers for industrial bulk shipments.

Packaging materials must be inert, moisture-resistant, and appropriate for long-distance transit.

b) International Labelling Requirements

Export packaging labels must accurately and clearly include:

• Product name and technical grade

• Net quantity (kg or lbs)

• Batch or lot number

• Manufacturing and expiry dates

• Manufacturer’s name and address

• Country of origin

• Safety or handling instructions

• Certification marks (e.g., Halal, ISO, FSSAI)

Labels must be in languages acceptable to destination countries, most commonly English, or additionally in the language of importing markets when required. Ensuring correct labelling prevents customs holds and builds confidence with distributors and end users.

c) Compliance with Packaging Standards

Depending on destination markets and product applications, packaging materials may be subject to standards such as:

• Food contact safety standards for edible gelatin products.

• BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) materials compliance for packaging substrates.

• Sustainable packaging norms, which are increasingly demanded by European markets.

By aligning packaging practices with best-in-class standards, exporters avoid rejection at ports and strengthen their reputation abroad.

6. How Quality, Compliance & Packaging Drive International Competitiveness

a) Exporter Reputation and Buyer Confidence

In the international marketplace, quality and compliance are strongly correlated with buyer trust. Premium buyers — especially in the EU, USA, Japan, and Australia — often demand documentation proving that products meet multiple historical, ethical, and regulatory criteria before issuing purchase orders.

Certificates like ISO, GMP, FSSAI, Halal, Kosher and traceable documentation are not just paperwork — they are market entry tokens that facilitate smoother customs clearance and establish exporter credibility.

b) Market Access and Premium Positioning

Meeting stringent regulatory standards allows Indian gelatin exporters to position their products in high-value categories such as:

• Pharmaceutical grade gelatin for drug delivery systems.

• Food grade gelatin with high Bloom values for confectionery manufacturers.

• Specialty marine gelatin for niche dietary and cosmetic markets.

This positioning attracts higher margins and long-term contracts with multinational buyers.

7. Challenges and Strategic Opportunities

Despite its promising trajectory, the Indian gelatin export sector faces practical challenges:

• Raw material volatility: animal by-product supply depends on livestock industry dynamics and international demand.

• Regulatory complexity: compliance with diverse standards across markets can be administratively heavy.

• Disease control concerns: global animal health issues may affect export flows if traceability systems are not robust.

Yet, opportunities abound. India’s negligible BSE status recognized by international bodies encourages market acceptance. Product innovation — such as hybrid gelatin blends, marine gelatin, or value-added collagen peptides — expands exportable product lines and diversifies revenue streams.

8. Conclusion

India’s gelatin export industry stands at the intersection of traditional manufacturing strength and modern global trade demands. Quality assurance, rigorous compliance, and effective packaging strategies form the foundation of export success.

By maintaining high quality standards, adhering to regulatory frameworks, and embracing packaging innovations that protect product integrity while communicating brand value, Indian exporters can continue expanding their global footprint. Whether selling into the United States, Japan, Europe, or emerging markets across Asia and Africa, India is well-positioned to be a reliable supplier of high-quality gelatin — the unsung backbone of numerous global industries.