Mother Dairy Hikes Milk Prices by ₹2/Litre, New Rates Effective in Delhi-NCR from Today

New Delhi, April 30, 2025 – Inflation just got a little more personal for Delhi-NCR households. Mother Dairy, a leading milk supplier in the region, announced a ₹2 per litre price hike across various milk categories, citing rising procurement costs and seasonal supply disruptions. The new rates took effect this morning, impacting consumers across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand.

New Prices for Common Milk Variants

According to the revised price list:

• Toned milk now costs ₹56/litre, up from ₹54

• Full cream milk is ₹69/litre, previously ₹68

• Double toned milk has gone from ₹49 to ₹51/litre

• Cow milk is now ₹59/litre, up from ₹57

For 500ml packs, prices have been raised by ₹1 across the board. These hikes are applicable across all retail channels, including booths and retail outlets.

Why the Sudden Hike? A Mix of Heat and Higher Costs

Mother Dairy's spokesperson explained that milk procurement costs have surged by ₹4–5 per litre over the past few months due to an early onset of summer and a dip in milk yield caused by extreme heat. “The cost of cattle feed, medicines, and general animal maintenance has increased sharply. To maintain consistent supply of quality milk and ensure fair returns to farmers, this hike became unavoidable,” the company stated.

In short: less milk, higher costs, and no relief in sight—so consumers are footing the bill.

Impact on Households Already Struggling With Price Surge

For a region already burdened with high prices for LPG cylinders, vegetables, fruits, and other essentials, this increase in milk—a daily staple—hurts particularly hard. During the summer, demand for milk-based items like curd, lassi, and ice cream spikes, meaning household budgets will feel the pinch even more.

“I used to buy two litres of toned milk daily. That’s ₹60 extra per month now. It may sound small, but it adds up fast when everything is expensive,” said a resident of East Delhi.

Will Other Brands Follow Suit?

With Mother Dairy taking the first step, all eyes are on Amul and other private dairy brands. Some industry experts believe that Amul may hold off for competitive reasons, but maintaining old prices could become unsustainable if input costs continue to climb.

This could push consumers toward local dairy vendors or plant-based milk alternatives, though those, too, often come with higher price tags.

Farmers to Benefit—But Will They Really?

While the company claims the hike will help secure farmers' livelihoods, consumer groups have questioned whether the increased revenue will truly reach the dairy farmers. Many have urged the government to ensure transparency and to implement measures that balance consumer affordability with farmer welfare.

“The government needs to intervene in essential commodities like milk. Otherwise, affordability will become a serious issue for middle- and lower-income families,” said a consumer rights activist.

Govt Yet to Respond, But Pressure Builds

So far, the government has not issued any official statement, but consumer forums and opposition leaders are calling for price regulation measures to protect public interest. In a high-inflation environment, even small hikes in essential goods create ripples across the economy and voter sentiment.