New Delhi, November 11: The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets dairy products under the Amul brand, has announced a price hike of 4 to 5.5 per cent in fresh pouch milk across India, effective November 12.

The revision will affect some of the brand’s largest-selling milk variants across its operational markets. Under the revised rates, Amul Taaza toned milk, containing 3 per cent fat, will become costlier by Rs 2 per litre, marking an increase of 3.3 per cent. Similarly, Amul Gold milk, with 6 per cent fat, will see a price hike of Rs 4 per litre, or 5.5 per cent.

Explaining the decision, the dairy federation attributed the increase to a sharp rise in the cost of milk production and processing, including higher expenditure on dairy farming and commercial operations.

According to GCMMF, the prices of green and dry fodder, cattle feed ingredients such as oil cake, maize and molasses, milk packaging materials and fuel have increased significantly over the past year, putting additional financial pressure on dairy operations.

The federation also cited challenging climatic conditions, particularly low and uneven rainfall in Gujarat and several other parts of the country, as a major factor behind the decision.

"Due to the steep increase in input costs of milk production as well as processing, we are constrained to increase the consumer price of milk to pay better prices to our producers and support them in these difficult times," the federation said in a statement.

GCMMF further stated that its member unions had already raised milk procurement prices paid to farmers by 4 to 5 per cent over the past year. The latest revision in retail prices is aimed at sustaining these payments and ensuring continued financial support to milk producers.

Highlighting its cooperative model, the federation said that nearly 80 per cent of the revenue generated from consumers is returned to its 36 lakh milk producers.

"A major portion of the increase in the selling price of milk will go back to the milk producers, and they will continue to be encouraged to increase milk production," it added.

The federation maintained that the price adjustment would help protect the interests of dairy farmers while ensuring the sustainability of milk production amid rising input costs.