Gokul, Katraj to hike milk prices by Rs 2 per litre from Tuesday

Gokul, Maharashtra's largest cooperative milk union, will raise the retail price of buffalo milk by Rs 2 per litre starting Tuesday. This hike will bring the cost of a one-liter pouch of buffalo milk to Rs 78 in Mumbai and Pune. The price increase comes after Gokul raised the procurement price of buffalo milk by Rs 1.50 per litre and cow milk by Rs 1 per litre.

The decision aims to provide better returns to milk producers amid rising costs of inputs and production. Gokul's procurement price for buffalo milk with 6% fat has risen to Rs 55 per litre, while that of cow milk with 3.5% fat has been increased to Rs 37 per litre. However, there won't be any change in the retail price of Gokul's cow milk.

Prakash Kutwal, secretary of the Maharashtra Rajya Dudh Vyavsayik Sanghatana, attributed the revision to rising transportation and packaging costs, as well as the FDA's action against analogue cheese, which has increased demand for genuine milk products. He also mentioned that rising sugar prices, which have gone up by Rs 12-14 per kg, could further affect the cost of dairy products, potentially leading to a 10% increase in milk-related product prices.

The price revision will be implemented over the next week. In addition to Gokul, Katraj Dairy will also raise the price of milk by Rs 2 per litre starting August 11.