Karnataka's Nandini milk price up Rs 8, but still cheaper than most states

Karnataka has increased the price of Nandini milk by Rs 8 per litre. However, despite the steep hike, Nandini milk will continue to be cheaper than comparable varieties sold in most other states, according to a price comparison analysis by the government.The Nandini Shubham variant, which contains 4.5 per cent fat, will now cost Rs 60 per litre, up from Rs 52. The revised price remains below the average of Rs 62.80 per litre across 10 other states considered in the comparison.Nandini's Shubham milk is priced below seven of these states, at the same level as Bihar and Goa, and above only Tamil Nadu.The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Rs 8 per litre increase, with effect from November 1, following demands from dairy farmers and milk unions for a revision in procurement prices. Of the total increase, Rs 7 will go directly to farmers, while the remaining Re 1 will go to milk unions. HOW NANDINI MILK PRICES HAVE CHANGEDThe Rs 8 increase applies to all Nandini milk varieties, including toned, homogenised and premium variants.The toned milk, previously priced at Rs 46 per litre, will now cost Rs 54. Homogenised toned milk has been increased from Rs 47 to Rs 55, while homogenised cow's milk will cost Rs 58, against the earlier Rs 50. The Shubham variant, with 4.5 per cent fat, will see its price rise from Rs 52 to Rs 60 per litre. Nandini Samruddhi, meanwhile, will cost Rs 63, up from Rs 55.HOW NANDINI PRICES COMPARE WITH OTHER STATESThe revised price of Nandini Shubham places Karnataka below most of the states included in the comparison of 4.5 per cent fat milk.Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have the highest prices in the comparison, at Rs 68 per litre. Milk in Punjab, Odisha and Chhattisgarh is priced at Rs 66 per litre, while Gujarat and Rajasthan charge Rs 64.At Rs 60 per litre, Karnataka's revised price is Rs 8 lower than the rates in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Rs 6 below those in Punjab, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.Bihar's Sudha and Goa Cooperative milk are also priced at Rs 60 per litre, putting them on par with Nandini Shubham.Tamil Nadu's Aavin 4.5 per cent milk is listed at Rs 46 per litre in the comparison, although prices in the state vary depending on the variant and cooperative union.The average price across the 10 states is Rs 62.80 per litre. Excluding Tamil Nadu, where the listed price is considerably lower, the average rises to Rs 64.70. This means Karnataka's revised price is Rs 4.70 below the average of the remaining states.WHY KARNATAKA INCREASED MILK PRICESChief Minister Siddaramaiah's government has maintained that the revision is necessary to protect dairy farmers from mounting financial losses.The state cited in the price analysis, rising production and transportation costs, along with increases in the prices of plastic packaging materials, diesel and petrol, have added to the financial burden on dairy cooperatives.The government has also pointed to drought conditions, fodder shortages and a decline of approximately 10 lakh litres in daily milk collection as factors behind the decision.The Chief Minister said milk prices in Karnataka remained lower than those in neighbouring states and argued that the price difference was encouraging the movement of milk to Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.The price revision had reportedly been sought by milk unions, which had demanded an increase of Rs 8 to Rs 10 per litre. The Chief Minister also said some demands had gone as high as Rs 12 to Rs 15 per litre.A key component of the revision is the increase in the amount paid to milk producers.Before the hike, Karnataka's base procurement price stood at Rs 35 per litre, lower than the Rs 41 to Rs 42.24 range reported in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.The revised base price of Rs 42 brings Karnataka broadly in line with these states.With the additional Rs 5 government incentive remaining unchanged, farmers will now receive Rs 47 per litre in total, compared with Rs 40 earlier.The government has said the revision is intended to ensure better returns for dairy farmers while addressing the rising operational costs faced by milk cooperatives.The Nandini milk is produced by Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), a state-level apex cooperative body backed by the Karnataka government.- Ends