Dairies in India consider milk price increase from November 15
At Gokul, the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union, newly elected chairman Rajesh Patil has said a price rise may be needed to address losses of approximately ₹240 million. Those losses accumulated during six months of administration. Patil said the cooperative's directors would determine the size of any increase.
Patil has indicated that Gokul would seek to avoid a sharp rise, keeping its milk competitively priced while seeking better procurement returns for farmers. The first meeting of the board under his chairmanship is scheduled for November 14. A review of departmental performance is also expected at that meeting.
Gokul ranks among Maharashtra's largest milk cooperatives. It has more than 550,000 associated dairy farmers and procures over 2 million litres of milk a day. The cooperative aims to lift daily procurement above 2.5 million litres within five years.
The earlier Maharashtra price revision took effect on August 11, 2026, following a decision by the Milk Producers and Processors Welfare Association at a meeting of industry representatives. Gokul, Katraj and Chitale were among the businesses involved. Alongside the increase in milk prices, prices for several dairy products were expected to rise by about 8–10%. Industry representatives attributed the August revision to more expensive diesel and packaging, together with higher payments for milk procurement.
The current pricing discussions also concern the expense of collecting, processing, packaging and distributing milk. Procurement payments contribute to processors' raw-material costs, while feed and fodder expenses affect production costs on farms. Fuel is a cost component in collection, chilling and distribution; energy, labour and plant maintenance contribute to processing expenses. The article identifies procurement arrangements, product mix and operating efficiency as factors affecting how much additional expense cooperative and private dairies can absorb.
Elsewhere in India, Amul announced increases of 4–5% for fresh pouch milk across major variants and pack sizes, effective November 12, 2026. Mother Dairy raised liquid-milk prices in Delhi-NCR by ₹2–₹4 per litre on the same date. Both companies attributed their revisions to increased procurement and input expenses, citing fodder, cattle feed, packaging and transport among the costs involved.
