Milk prices are rising in parts of India as dairy farmers face soaring cattle feed, fodder and livestock costs. Fresh milk sold directly by local cattle sheds in Bhiwandi has reached nearly Rs 100 per litre, while Mumbai's fresh buffalo milk wholesale rate has increased to Rs 102 per litre. Meanwhile, Karnataka's Cabinet has approved a proposed hike of up to Rs 8 per litre for Nandini milk, which could take the price of blue-packet toned milk from Rs 46 to Rs 54 per litre.
The price increases have added to the burden on households, while dairy farmers say the rising cost of maintaining cattle is squeezing their earnings. The festive season has also contributed to higher demand for milk and dairy products.
Bhiwandi milk prices touch nearly Rs 100 per litre
Fresh milk sold directly by local cattle sheds in Bhiwandi has reached nearly Rs 100 per litre, according to a report by The Free Press Journal published on October 19.
Local dairy owners and vendors have raised retail prices by Rs 2 to Rs 4 per litre as production expenses rise. Anand Gadre, president of the Bhiwandi Taluka Milk Producers and Vendors Association, said cattle feed and fodder prices had increased sharply over the past 20 to 25 days.
Oil cake, which previously cost Rs 38–Rs 40 per kg, has crossed Rs 50 per kg. Chuni, a cattle-feed by-product, has increased from Rs 30–Rs 32 to Rs 40 per kg.
The price of bhusa, or dry fodder, has risen from Rs 950–Rs 960 to Rs 1,370, while paddy straw has reportedly become more expensive, increasing from Rs 7–Rs 8 per kg to Rs 24 per kg. Grass prices have climbed from Rs 22–Rs 23 to Rs 30 per kg.
Livestock acquisition costs have also increased. A cow now costs more than Rs 1 lakh, while buffalo prices have reportedly risen from Rs 1 lakh–Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh–Rs 3 lakh.
Dairy owners say the rising expenses, including veterinary care and daily cattle maintenance, are making milk production increasingly difficult to sustain.
Mumbai fresh buffalo milk rate rises to Rs 102 per litre
In Mumbai, the wholesale rate of fresh buffalo milk supplied by local cattle sheds increased by Rs 9 per litre from September 1, rising from Rs 93 to Rs 102 per litre.
The Mumbai Milk Producers' Welfare Association attributed the increase to a 60–70% rise in the cost of acquiring milch animals and a 25% increase in cattle feed prices.
The revised wholesale rate will remain in effect until February 28, 2027. Retail prices may vary depending on the locality, supplier and vendor. Reports have indicated that consumers could pay around Rs 110–Rs 112 per litre in some areas, with prices potentially higher in parts of South Mumbai.
The hike applies to fresh buffalo milk supplied through local cattle sheds and should not be confused with a uniform price increase across all packaged milk brands.
Karnataka proposes Rs 8 Nandini milk price hike
In Karnataka, the state Cabinet has approved a proposed increase of up to Rs 8 per litre for Nandini milk. However, the formal announcement and implementation have been held up by the Model Code of Conduct for Legislative Council elections, with the government required to seek clearance from the Election Commission.
The proposed increase could take effect from November 1, subject to approval and the final decision on the hike.
If the full increase is passed on to consumers, the price of blue-packet toned milk could rise from Rs 46 to Rs 54 per litre.
Under the proposal, Rs 6 of the Rs 8 increase would go to milk producers, while the remaining Rs 2 would go to milk unions. The proposed revision is intended to help dairy farmers cope with rising production expenses.
This would be the fifth revision in Nandini milk prices since November 2022. Earlier increases included Rs 3 per litre in November 2022, another Rs 3 in July 2023, Rs 2 in June 2024 and Rs 4 in March 2025.
Shahapur milk producers launch indefinite strike
Rising production costs have also triggered protests among milk producers in Shahapur taluka, where farmers have launched an indefinite strike demanding better procurement rates and government intervention.
The protesting farmers say that higher retail prices do not necessarily translate into better earnings for producers, particularly when cattle feed, fodder, livestock and veterinary expenses continue to rise.
Led by the Milk Producers Farmers Social Organisation, the farmers have submitted a memorandum of demands to the tehsildar and stopped supplying milk to dairy operators.
They have demanded an increase in milk procurement prices, saying the returns they receive are no longer sufficient to cover the cost of maintaining their animals.
Rising production costs put pressure on dairy sector
The milk price increases in Maharashtra and the proposed Nandini hike in Karnataka highlight the financial pressure facing dairy farmers and consumers. While farmers are seeking better procurement rates to cover rising expenses, households are dealing with higher prices for an essential daily product.
With cattle feed, fodder and livestock becoming more expensive, dairy producers say the gap between production costs and the returns they receive is widening. The impact on consumers will depend on local retail pricing, supplier decisions and the implementation of Karnataka's proposed price revision.
