Just before the beginning of the festive season, there has been a big blow to the pockets of common consumers. In Maharashtra, a huge increase in the price of milk by up to Rs 9 per liter has been announced from September 1. This is the second burden on consumers in the state within three weeks. Earlier on August 11, 2026, the Dairy Welfare Association had increased the price of cow and buffalo milk by Rs 2 per liter. During that period, prices of products like curd and cheese also increased by 10 percent.
Milk prices increased continuously in two years
This increase in milk prices is not limited to Maharashtra only. From national brands to regional cooperative dairies, rates have been increased repeatedly during the years 2025 and 2026. Talking about the first eight months of the year 2026, on May 14, Amul and Mother Dairy had made milk expensive by Rs 2 per liter.
After this, Saras of Rajasthan, Sanchi of Madhya Pradesh, Gokul of Maharashtra and in June Milma Dairy of Kerala also increased the prices. Earlier in 2025, Nandini Dairy of Karnataka, Sudha Dairy of Bihar-Jharkhand and Parag Milk Foods had also increased the prices by Rs 2 to 4 per liter during April-May.
Prices rose by 24 percent in Delhi-NCR
Milk prices in the country's capital and surrounding areas have increased rapidly in the last few years. According to available data, in February 2022, full cream milk was available at around Rs 58 per liter and toned milk at Rs 48 per liter in Delhi-NCR.
By February 2023, the price of full cream milk will increase to Rs 66 and toned milk to Rs 54 per liter. After the recent increase in May 2026, Mother Dairy's full cream milk reached the level of Rs 72 per liter. That means, in the last four years, the price of full cream milk has increased by about Rs 14 per liter i.e. 24 percent.
Why are dairy products becoming expensive?
The main reason behind the continuous rise in milk prices is the rising cost of fodder and increase in the procurement cost of raw milk. According to an analysis by rating agency CRISIL, seasonal conditions like extreme heat and weak monsoon affect the milk production capacity of cattle.
CRISIL estimates that the growth rate of raw milk production in financial year 2027 may be around 4 percent, which is less than the average of 5 percent in the past years. According to the agency, in the current financial year, retail prices of milk may increase by 4 to 5 percent and value-added products like cheese, ghee, butter may increase by 5 to 6 percent.