Gokul milk union may raise purchase and sale rates by Rs 2 each after Amul, Mother Dairy hikes

After Amul and Mother Dairy, Gokul Milk Union, a leading milk producers' union in western Maharashtra, is now considering raising milk prices. Both its milk purchase rate and sale rate are likely to go up by Rs 2 each.

The first meeting of Gokul's new board of directors is to be held tomorrow. The proposal to raise the purchase and sale rates is expected to be discussed at that meeting. A Rs 2 increase in both rates is currently expected, but the final decision will be taken only at the board meeting.

If the sale rate is raised, the purchase rate paid to milk-producing farmers could also be increased accordingly. The decision is likely to be taken after weighing the income from milk sales to consumers against the price that has to be paid to farmers.

If Gokul also raises its milk prices after the Amul and Mother Dairy increases, consumers' monthly household expenses could rise further. On the other hand, farmers who supply milk could benefit if the purchase rate goes up. However, there has been no official announcement yet on exactly how much Gokul's milk price will rise or from when. Farmers and consumers are therefore watching tomorrow's meeting.

Amul, the country's leading dairy company, has decided to raise milk prices. Under the new rates, the price of Amul Gold milk has gone up by Rs 4 a litre and that of Amul Taaza by Rs 2 a litre. The hike is likely to affect the monthly budgets of customers who buy Amul milk every day.

Amul Gold milk was earlier priced at Rs 70 a litre. After the Rs 4 increase, customers will now pay Rs 74 for a litre. Amul Taaza has gone up by Rs 2 a litre. Households that buy regular milk for tea, coffee, children and daily use could face an added financial burden.

Amul has also raised the prices of milk-related complementary products by 4 to 5 per cent. This has also pushed up the prices of milk varieties such as Amul Fresh, Gold and Full Cream by Rs 2 to Rs 4.