Amul raises milk prices by Rs 2/litre in Delhi-NCR

Mother Dairy to hold on to current prices

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells milk and milk products under the Amul brand, is set to raise milk prices by Rs 2 a litre in the Delhi-NCR region from Friday, followed by Gujarat from Saturday, owing to a 20 per cent rise in the cost of production. Prices would be raised subsequently across India in phases.

Amul had last raised prices in May 2015. GCMMF Managing Director R S Sodhi said, “Our procurement prices are currently at around Rs 580-600 per kg fat. The cost of production has risen by almost 20 per cent.”

As compared to the rise in cost of production, the rise in retail prices was in the range of 4-5 per cent, Sodhi added.

NEW PRICES

• Amul Gold (full cream) would be Rs 50 a litre
   
• Taaza (toned) would be Rs 38 a litre
   
• Shakti (standard) would be Rs 46 a litre
   
• Slim-n-Trim (doubled-toned) will cost Rs 36 a litre

GCMMF is currently procuring around 16.2 million litres of milk a day. Now the prices of Amul Gold (full cream) would be Rs 50 a litre, while that of Amul Taaza (toned) would be Rs 38 a litre. Rates of Amul Shakti (standard) would be Rs 46 a litre and Amul Slim-n-Trim (doubled-toned) will cost Rs 36 a litre.

Mother Dairy is, however, holding on to its current rates. “As a leading milk supplier in Delhi NCR, we are not increasing the prices currently. The last price raise was in May 2014 and we are striving to retain it, while giving competitive and remunerative prices to farmers,” said a company spokesperson.

Adding: “The prices are likely to go up in coming months. We are keeping a watch on the availability of milk and price situation and may take a call on consumer prices, if the situation warrants.”

The dairy industry in India has witnessed a long period of stable milk prices, primarily on account of weak global prices of skimmed milk powder and a huge inventory back home due to lack of export opportunity.

Usually milk procurement drops during the lean summer months, pushing up prices. Amul had earlier said that it would review the pricing situation in June.