Gokul Dairy increases cow milk selling price by Rs 2 per litre

Kolhapur: The Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh, popularly known as Gokul Dairy, has announced a Rs 2 per litre increase in the selling price of cow milk. The new rates will come into effect on May 21, 2026, across Kolhapur, Pune, Mumbai, and all cities in the Konkan region.The decision was finalised during a meeting held on Saturday at the dairy's head office in Gokul Shirgaon, under the guidance of the recently appointed administrative body. Officials clarified that the price hike applies only to cow milk varieties, including cow milk, toned, Shakti, and standard, while the price of buffalo milk remains unchanged.The move follows similar price hikes by the country's leading milk producers, Amul and Mother Dairy. Gokul officials cited rising fuel prices, increased costs for raw materials, and the mounting expenses associated with transportation and packaging as the primary reasons for the revision.This adjustment also follows a decision made on Feb 21, 2026, when Gokul increased the purchase price paid to farmers by Rs 1 per litre for buffalo milk and Rs 2 per litre for cow milk. At that time, the dairy had absorbed the costs and opted not to pass the increase on to consumers.Sanjaykumar Sudrik, chairman of the newly appointed administrative board, stated, "This decision aims to ensure that milk producers receive fair remuneration while consumers continue to receive quality milk at reasonable prices. We have sought to strike a balance between the interests of farmers, consumers, and the association."Sudrik added that further reviews of production and market conditions would dictate future pricing strategies, emphasisng a commitment to transparency and quality.The price hike comes amid a backdrop of political tension following the appointment of the five-member administrative board. Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif has raised alarms, claiming that Gokul's daily milk collection has dropped significantly—by 50,000 to 60,000 litres—since the new board took over."The decrease in collection is an alarming signal. While heat may play a role, the administrative board and other officials should stay out of politics and focus on ensuring producers send maximum milk to Gokul," Mushrif said.However, milk production experts have countered the minister's claims, asserting that the dip in collection is primarily due to the severe heatwave and a widespread shortage of fodder across the state, rather than administrative changes.