Milk Prices Set to Soar in Hyderabad Amid Rising Costs

Dairy and cattle farm owners in Hyderabad are gearing up to increase milk prices sharply by Rs50 to Rs60 per litre, mirroring the recent trend seen in Karachi. This move is attributed to rising production and transportation costs that have become unsustainable at the current rates.

Nasir Ghori, General Secretary of the Hyderabad Retail Dairy Sellers Welfare Association, indicated that the retail price of milk should be set at Rs300 per litre in light of current inflation. Currently, milk is sourced from farms at Rs200 per litre, increases to Rs210 after additional costs, and is sold for Rs220 per litre. Local retailers plan to request official permission to adjust prices accordingly once Karachi's new rates are announced.

Cattle owners cite skyrocketing prices for buffaloes and fodder as major factors in the proposed increase, with production costs becoming untenable. Prices for key inputs such as wheat bran and hay have almost doubled alongside increased transport charges driven by persistent fuel price hikes.

Citizens, already burdened by soaring prices for everyday essentials, face another financial strain as Hyderabad's farmers align themselves for price adjustments. Milk production in the city, which consumes approximately 700,000 litres per day, has fallen to between 400,000 and 500,000 litres due to rising costs, leading many smaller dairies to close.