Karnataka to hike milk prices by Rs 4 per litre from April 1

    Bengaluru, Mar 27 (PTI) Milk prices in Karnataka will increase by Rs 4 per litre starting April 1, state Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna announced on Thursday.

    The Minister said the price hike comes in response to "pressure" from milk federations and farmers.
    Addressing reporters, he said, "The decision to increase prices was made by the milk federation. They initially requested a Rs 5 hike per litre, but the government agreed to Rs 4. The entire Rs 4 increase will go to farmers. Earlier, farmers received Rs 31.68 per litre, and with this hike, they will receive an additional Rs 4."
    Acknowledging that the price hike may inconvenience the public, he said, "Since this Rs 4 increase is for farmers, I seek their cooperation."
    The milk price revision follows recent hikes in bus and metro fares, as well as power tariffs.
    Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh stated that the hike was necessary due to rising production costs.
    "Currently, Nandini toned milk (blue packet) is sold at Rs 42 per litre in Karnataka. After this revision, it will be Rs 46 per litre. The hike is intended to support farmers," he said.
    Milk prices in other states stand at Rs 52 per litre in Kerala, Rs 53 in Gujarat, Rs 55 in Delhi, Rs 52 in Maharashtra, and Rs 58 in Telangana.
    Additionally, the price of a kilogram of curd has increased from Rs 50 to Rs 54.
    Homogenised toned milk will rise from Rs 43 to Rs 47 per litre, cow milk (green packet) from Rs 46 to Rs 50, and Shubham (saffron packet/special milk) from Rs 48 to Rs 52 per litre.
    The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) markets its dairy products under the 'Nandini' brand.
    KMF Chairman Bheema Naik announced that the additional 50 ml per packet of milk, previously provided for an extra Rs 2, will be withdrawn.
    In 2024, KMF increased the price of milk by Rs 2 per packet while also increasing the quantity per packet by 50 ml.
    The federation had maintained that this was not a "price hike", as consumers received additional milk.
    Currently, a 1,050 ml packet of regular Nandini toned milk (blue packet) is priced at Rs 44.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)