Maharashtra dairies raise milk prices by ₹2 per litre from August 11
Cow and buffalo milk prices in Maharashtra will rise by ₹2 per litre from August 11 following an industry association decision. Dairies cited higher diesel, packaging and milk procurement costs, while dairy product prices may increase by up to 10%.
Industry approves price increase
Cow and buffalo milk prices in Maharashtra will increase by ₹2 per litre from August 11 after representatives of major cooperative and private dairies approved a statewide adjustment. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Milk Producers and Processors Welfare Association chaired by its president, Gopalrao Mhaske, Aaj Tak reported.
The increase directly affects consumers and commercial buyers in one of India’s largest state markets. It also changes the cost base for processors, retailers, restaurants and food manufacturers that use fresh milk. The association said prices for dairy products would rise by up to 10%, extending the impact beyond packaged liquid milk, although it did not specify the individual products or final retail prices.
Diesel and packaging costs squeeze dairies
The association attributed the decision to rising operating and input expenses. According to Aaj Tak, it said diesel prices had increased by ₹10 per litre and packaging costs by approximately 30%. Milk procurement prices have also risen and are expected to increase further.
The combination puts pressure on both collection and distribution. Higher procurement prices raise the cost of securing raw milk from producers, while diesel affects collection vehicles and deliveries to processors and retailers. Packaging inflation adds another expense for branded dairies selling milk in pouches or other consumer formats. The ₹2-per-litre increase transfers part of those costs along the supply chain, while the planned increase of up to 10% for dairy products could affect processors and buyers across a broader range of categories.
FDA intensifies checks on adulterated milk
The price change comes as Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration continues enforcement against adulterated milk. Aaj Tak reported that the department is inspecting more than 20 locations each day and has completed over 1,131 inspections. Authorities have seized food products valued at about ₹49.57 crore and detected approximately 1.6 lakh litres of suspected adulterated milk.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has said that some operators produce synthetic mixtures and blend them with genuine milk. He described the use of skimmed milk powder, chemicals, emulsifiers, caustic soda and even shampoo to make liquids resembling milk. According to the commissioner, synthetic milk resembling cow’s milk can be produced for about ₹15 per litre, while a mixture resembling buffalo milk can cost around ₹30 per litre. For legitimate producers and processors facing higher procurement, fuel and packaging expenses, such low-cost adulterated supply creates an additional challenge involving price competition, product quality and consumer confidence.
