Ludhiana: Consumers throughout the city are preparing for an added pinch to their monthly budgets as milk prices are set to increase by ₹5 per litre beginning November 1. This adjustment comes after an agreement was finalized by prominent operators representing the Haibowal and Tajpur dairy complexes. District Dairy Association President Kuldeep Singh Lahoria, along with other industry leaders, has officially confirmed the revision.
Under the new directives, these revised prices will apply across all retail points. Additionally, traders dealing in cream will see a 30-paise increase in fat rates. The association has called upon all affiliated vendors to strictly adopt the updated tariff structure.
Soaring Fodder and Feed Costs Drive the Decision
Dairy stakeholders attribute the price escalation directly to the continuous surge in the prices of cattle feed and essential fodder. Rapid inflation affecting dry and green fodder, oil cakes, and commercial feed mixes has severely compressed operating margins, rendering previous pricing models unsustainable.
Local producers stress that absorbing these mounting operational costs is no longer feasible, pushing many small and large dairies to the brink of financial distress.
Unprecedented Inflation in Green Fodder and Wheat Straw
Characterizing the current phase as one of the most economically challenging periods for the dairy sector in decades, industry operator Rakesh Kumar pointed out the drastic escalation in animal care expenses.
Kumar noted that green fodder prices have jumped from ₹80–₹90 per 40 kilograms to roughly ₹140. Simultaneously, wheat straw (locally known as toori) has climbed from ₹250–₹300 to an alarming ₹400 per 40-kilogram bundle.
Coupled with persistent spikes in supplemental nutrients and oil cakes, these heavy overheads have squeezed profitability across the board.
The Threat of Closures Looming Over the Regional Industry
Kumar warned that the unsustainable financial strain has already driven several dairy units out of business. Without timely price corrections to balance out production costs, the future survival of the wider regional dairy network hangs in the balance.
For local farmers and producers, raising milk prices is viewed strictly as a defensive measure to cover daily maintenance and cattle upkeep expenses.
Impact on Everyday Household Budgets
The impending ₹5 hike will undoubtedly test family finances, especially during the festive season. A household consuming one litre daily will face an additional monthly burden of approximately ₹150.
While dairy proprietors argue that the adjustment is essential for survival, everyday residents must now adapt their domestic budgets to accommodate the new pricing framework.
