Milk prices to go up by Rs 4 a litre after Pune meeting of producers' association

Milk is set to add to the burden on households already struggling with inflation. A meeting of the milk producers and business welfare association in Pune today decided to raise milk prices by Rs 4 a litre.

The meeting of the state-level association was held at the Katraj Dairy office in Pune. Representatives of 45 cooperative and private milk brands in the state attended. The meeting fixed an increase of Rs 4 a litre for both cow and buffalo milk.

Milk producers say the hike has become necessary because of dealer rates, the growing presence of milk brands from outside the state, and higher prices of sugar and diesel. It has also emerged that today's meeting decided to raise the prices of milk products by 10 per cent.

The Gokul milk union has also signalled that it will raise milk prices. The union has been in the news for the past few days over its election and the selection of its chairman. Gokul's new chairman, Rajesh Patil, has hinted at a price hike. It is learnt that a decision on raising milk prices will be taken at the first meeting of the new executive committee on Saturday. Moves to raise Gokul's milk selling rates have begun.

Earlier, Amul raised its milk prices by Rs 2 to Rs 4. The increase has been in effect since November 12. Amul Taaza toned milk has become Rs 2 costlier, while Amul Gold milk has become Rs 4 costlier. Mother Dairy's milk prices have also gone up by Rs 2 to Rs 4.

The sudden increase in Amul's milk prices is being attributed to rising inflation in the country. Prices of green and dry fodder, cattle feed and packaging are rising. Higher freight costs are also a major reason. In these circumstances, companies have decided to raise milk prices. There is concern that this will place a heavy burden on the common man.

Rising inflation, higher fuel prices and a sharp rise in sugar prices are directly affecting people's daily lives. Milk prices are now going up against this backdrop.