Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has now stormed into the Delhi-NCR market, with its Nandini brand milk products. The federation in order to gain an easy market entry has opted to price them marginally lower than competitors.
The cooperative will retail four cow milk variants, curd, and buttermilk from Friday, with competitive pricing that undercuts established players like Mother Dairy and Amul.
Cow milk will be sold at Rs 56 per litre, full cream milk at Rs 67 per litre, standardised milk at Rs 61 per litre, toned milk at Rs 55 per litre, and curd at Rs 74 per kg.
“We have surplus milk in the state. KMF along with Mandya Milk Union will market surplus milk of 3-4 lakh litre per day in Delhi-NCR,” stated Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, after launching the products.
The federation currently collects 100 lakh litre of milk daily, with local consumption at 60 lakh litre, leaving a surplus of 40 lakh litre for expansion into new markets.
However, the Chief Minister acknowledged the challenges of transporting milk over 2,500 km, which takes 50-54 hours.
“There is a need to find new markets for surplus milk and gradually the KMF should be able to sell 5-6 lakh litre per day in Delhi-NCR,” he added.
According to LBP Bheemanaik, chairman, KMF, milk quality would be maintained during transit.
“The federation has already partnered with 40 dealers in the Delhi-NCR region to facilitate sales,” he added.
With a robust infrastructure of 26.76 lakh milk producers, 15,737 dairy cooperative societies, and 15 district milk unions, KMF has a turnover of Rs 25,000 crore and exports dairy products to over 25 countries.
State Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh and Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy were present at the product launch.
According to M K Jagadish, managing director, KMF, plans are formed to launch Nandini idli and dosa batter by the month end. Current breakfast batter market for idli and dosa is dominated by iD, Asal and MTR.
