The state-owned Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (OMFED) has announced a hike in the price of milk by Rs 2 per 500 ml for all variants. The new rate will be effective from April 1, 2023.
A packet of 500 ml OMFED Toned Milk has been increased from Rs 21 to Rs 23, Premium Milk from Rs 24 to Rs 26, Gold Milk from Rs 24 to 26 and Chai Special Milk from Rs 23 to Rs 25, sources said.
The federation attributed the price hike to an increase in the costs of packaging, logistics, cattle feed, and other operational costs.
In view of the increase in farmers’ costs such as the cost of fodder for cows, the cost of medicines and fuel, and the cost of packaging materials, OMFED has been forced to increase its milk price by Rs 2/500 ml (half a liter) with effect from April 1, 2023, it said in a statement.
Stating that 90 per cent of the cost of OMFED milk sales goes towards milk procurement, the federation said it has consistently worked towards providing fair prices to milk producers, thereby ensuring the sustainability of milk production and availability of quality milk to consumers at affordable prices.
It said consumer costs have also increased with an increase in ancillary costs as well as operational costs of packaging, marketing, etc. Despite higher prices for milk purchases, consumer prices were kept intact by OMFED over the past year.
