Milma Considers ₹10 Milk Price Hike Amid Farmer Pressure

The dairy cooperative in Kerala, Milma, is contemplating a ₹10 hike in milk prices, driven by increasing production costs and pressure from farmers. Dairy unions across Kerala, including the Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam regional unions, have backed this proposal to address the diminishing returns faced by small-scale producers. Currently, milk is priced at ₹56 per litre, and the proposed increase could raise consumer prices above ₹60 per litre, risking consumer pushback.

Milma's board of directors will soon deliberate on the proposal, which has sparked concerns over its feasibility and the potential resistance from both producers and consumers. The unions argue that without adjusting prices, many smallholders might withdraw from milk production, threatening the state's milk supply. The outcome of this decision will be pivotal, balancing the economic pressures faced by farmers while maintaining affordability for consumers.