Pune: Consumers in Maharashtra may soon have to pay more for pouch milk, with several private and cooperative dairies preparing to revise the retail price of cow and buffalo milk from Nov 15.The move follows a recent price hike by major brands Amul and Mother Dairy.The quantum of the proposed increase, however, is yet to be finalised and will be decided at a meeting of dairy operators scheduled for Friday at the training centre of Pune District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd (Katraj Dairy) on Pune-Satara Road.The Maharashtra Rajya Dudh Vyavsayik Sanghatana has convened a meeting of representatives of dairy businesses from across the state to discuss the proposed revision.Prakash Kutwal, secretary of the association, told TOI that the widening gap between the milk procurement price paid to farmers and the retail selling price, coupled with rising input costs, had prompted dairies to consider a price revision.“Private and cooperative players, including local brands such as Chitale and Katraj, are expected to participate in the deliberations. The association is likely to arrive at a common decision after discussions on prevailing procurement and selling prices and the rising cost of operations,” Kutwal said.“Earlier, we increased the procurement rate paid to farmers by Rs 5, but the corresponding increase in consumer price was only Rs 2, leaving a gap of Rs 3. Subsequently, the cost of packaging materials, diesel, gas and other raw materials has also increased. The impact of these hikes, particularly on packaging costs, is one of the reasons we are considering a revision in selling price,” he added.Kutwal clarified that the proposed revision should not be attributed solely to the drought, adding that the move was being considered in view of rising input and operational costs.“The exact increase would be determined only after consultations with participating dairies,” he said, cautioning against speculating on the amount before Friday’s meeting.The discussions are expected to cover not only retail selling price but also milk procurement rate and dealer price, competition from brands entering the Maharashtra market and ways to strengthen the sales of local dairy brands.The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets milk under the Amul brand, has revised the price of its major fresh pouch milk variants and pack sizes across the country, with the new rate coming into effect on Nov 12. Amul Taaza toned milk has become costlier by Rs 2 per litre, while Amul Gold has seen an increase of Rs 4 per litre, according to the federation.Mother Dairy has also revised its liquid milk price in the Mumbai region. According to a price revision circular dated Nov 10, the new rate came into effect from the Nov 11 invoice date, with deliveries from Nov 12. The increase ranges from Rs 2 to Rs 6 per litre across different variants.
