Another Blow Amid Inflation: Amul and Mother Dairy Milk Prices Hiked

Milk Prices Surge Amidst Rising Inflation

Consumers nationwide have received another significant blow amidst escalating inflation. Leading dairy cooperatives Amul and Mother Dairy have announced price hikes for milk, ranging from Rs 2 to Rs 6 per liter. This increase, effective November 12, 2026 (Thursday), is set to further burden common consumers.

Reasons Behind the Price Increase

The price surge is attributed to a shortage in milk availability, increased procurement prices from farmers, and continuously rising production costs. The new pricing structure will see a Rs 2 per liter increase for toned milk. Full cream milk will become Rs 4 per liter costlier, while buffalo milk with higher fat content will see a Rs 6 per liter hike.

Impact on Consumers in Key Markets

In major markets like Delhi-NCR, the retail price of buffalo full cream milk is reported to have risen from Rs 80 per liter to Rs 86 per liter. It is important to note that retail prices may vary across different milk categories and geographical regions.

Mother Dairy Also Increases Prices

Another prominent dairy provider, Mother Dairy, has also raised prices for its various milk types by Rs 2 to Rs 4 per liter. In the Delhi-NCR region, Mother Dairy's full cream packed milk, previously sold at Rs 72 per liter, will now be available at Rs 76 per liter. Similarly, the price of packed toned milk will increase from Rs 60 to Rs 62 per liter.

Details of Mother Dairy's Price Revisions

Consumers of double-toned milk will also face higher costs, paying Rs 56 per liter instead of Rs 54. Cow milk prices have also seen a Rs 3 increase, rising from Rs 62 to Rs 65 per liter. Additionally, the price of toned milk sold through bulk vending machines will go up from Rs 58 to Rs 60 per liter.

Rising Production Costs as the Main Driver

According to industry insiders, the price of milk fat has seen a significant increase of approximately 20-25% in recent months. Costs for animal feed, transportation services, and packaging materials have also continuously risen. These factors have collectively made the entire process of milk production and distribution considerably more expensive.

Dairy Companies Cite Farmer Support and Costs

Dairy companies state that increasing procurement prices to ensure fair value for farmers became necessary, leading to higher financial costs that are ultimately being passed on to consumers.

Supply Chain Concerns Emerge

This situation is a particular cause for concern among experts, as November is typically a month that favors increased milk production. Despite the usual seasonal rise in milk availability, a shortage is being felt, coupled with price hikes. This scenario raises serious questions about the efficiency and system of the dairy sector's supply chain. Such an unexpected demand-supply imbalance could signal future price increases.

Impact on the Common Consumer and Economy

The rise in milk prices will directly affect middle and lower-income families who rely heavily on milk for their daily diet. If a family purchases two liters of milk daily, their monthly milk expenses could increase by approximately Rs 120 to Rs 360 based on the new pricing. The impact of costlier milk will not stop there, as it will also put pressure on the prices of tea, coffee, sweets, and other dairy-based products, adding an overall burden to the common person's budget.

Dairy Product Price Hikes Continue

This is not the first time Amul has increased prices recently. Earlier, effective November 2, 2026, the company had also raised prices for ghee and butter. The price of one liter of Amul ghee increased from Rs 630 to Rs 680, while a 500-gram pack of butter was hiked from Rs 310 to Rs 325. In May 2026, Amul had also increased milk prices by Rs 2 per liter, indicating that the rise in dairy product costs remains an ongoing process.