Ludhiana: Consumers throughout the city are preparing for an added pinch to their wallets this festive season, with milk prices officially set to increase by ₹5 per litre starting November 1. This decision comes in the wake of a unanimous agreement among operators representing the prominent Haibowal and Tajpur dairy zones. District Dairy Association President Kuldeep Singh Lahoria, alongside other executive members, has confirmed the impending adjustment.
With the new framework taking effect, revised pricing will apply uniformly across retail dairy stores. Additionally, vendors engaged in cream business will notice a 30-paise increase in fat pricing. The association has urged all regional merchants to adopt the updated rates without delay.
Escalating Fodder and Feed Costs Trigger the Decision
Dairy business owners attribute the revision directly to the steep, ongoing climb in the prices of livestock feed and fodder. Sharp hikes in green and dry fodder, oil cakes, and mixed commercial feeds have severely eroded operational profit margins, rendering previous pricing structures entirely unsustainable.
Association representatives stress that keeping milk affordable under current market conditions is nearly impossible, leaving numerous local farmers struggling against mounting financial pressures.
Unprecedented Rises in Wheat Straw and Green Fodder
Characterizing the current market as one of the toughest decades for regional dairy production, veteran operator Rakesh Kumar shed light on the staggering expenses required just to feed livestock.
Kumar pointed out that green fodder, which previously cost between ₹80 and ₹90 per 40 kilograms, has now soared to roughly ₹40. Similarly, wheat straw—widely known as toori—has jumped from ₹250–₹300 to an alarming ₹400 per 40-kilogram bundle.
These dramatic jumps, compounded by consistent inflation in supplementary nutrients and oil cakes, have squeezed producers into a tight economic corner.
A Looming Threat to the Regional Dairy Ecosystem
Kumar warned that the unsustainable weight of daily expenses has already driven several small dairies out of business. Without timely price corrections to balance out production overheads, the long-term survival of the local sector hangs in the balance.
For producers, raising the rates is not a matter of choice, but an essential step to cover upkeep, feed procurement, and milking operations.
Impact on Everyday Household Finances
The upcoming ₹5 markup will undoubtedly stretch family finances, particularly for households depending on regular milk supplies. A home consuming one litre daily will see an added monthly expense of approximately ₹150.
Although dairy operators insist the hike is vital for survival, consumers must now prepare to adjust their monthly budgets to accommodate the new economic reality.
