Karnataka Approves ₹8 Hike In Nandini Milk Price, New Rate May Be ₹54

Karnataka’s Cabinet has approved a proposal to increase Nandini milk prices by ₹8 per litre, with the popular blue-packet toned milk potentially rising from the current ₹46 to ₹54 per litre if the full hike is passed on to consumers. The proposal is aimed at improving returns for dairy farmers facing drought, fodder shortages and rising production costs.

The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) and milk unions had sought a higher revision of ₹8–10 per litre, citing increased expenses on cattle feed, fodder, medicines, transportation and plastic packaging. Drought conditions have further affected farmers through crop losses and reduced availability of fodder, putting pressure on milk production and household incomes.

Milk unions have also highlighted the gap in procurement prices between Karnataka and neighbouring states. According to the unions, toned milk is procured at around ₹35 per litre in Karnataka, compared with ₹41.50 in Andhra Pradesh, ₹41.80 in Kerala, ₹41 in Maharashtra and about ₹42.20 in Tamil Nadu.

Under the proposed ₹8 increase, ₹6 is expected to go to milk producers and ₹2 to milk unions. For farmers, the additional income could help offset rising cattle-maintenance and production costs and provide greater incentive to continue supplying milk through the cooperative network. However, the actual benefit will depend on the final distribution of the increased price.

For consumers, the proposed revision would mean a higher daily household expense. A family buying one litre every day would spend about ₹240 more per month if the entire ₹8 increase is passed on. Higher milk prices could also create pressure on the cost of products such as curd, buttermilk and ghee, depending on KMF’s future pricing decisions.

The hike would be the fifth revision in Nandini milk prices since November 2022. Prices were previously increased in November 2022, July 2023, June 2024 and March 2025.

The implementation is subject to Election Commission clearance because the Model Code of Conduct is currently in force for Legislative Council elections. The revised prices are likely to take effect from November 1, subject to approval, while Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has been authorised to take the final call.