Milk Costlier by ₹4 a Litre in Pune From November 16; Curd, Paneer and Ghee May Rise Up to 10%
Maharashtra dairies have raised cow and buffalo milk prices by ₹4 a litre from November 16. Curd, paneer, ghee and butter may become up to 10% costlier.
Photo: Phadke09 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 15th November 2026: Packaged cow and buffalo milk will cost ₹4 a litre more across Maharashtra, including Pune, from Monday, November 16, after an association of dairies decided on a price hike at a meeting in Pune. Curd, paneer, ghee, butter and milk powder may become up to 10% costlier as well.
The decision was taken on Friday, November 13, at the Katraj Dairy office, at a meeting of the Milk Producers and Processing Business Welfare Association chaired by Gopalrao Mhaske, PuneNow reported. About 45 to 50 cooperative and private dairy brands from across the state attended, including the Pune District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, which sells under the Katraj brand.
How much more you will pay for milk
The increase is ₹4 per litre for both cow and buffalo milk. For a household that buys one litre a day, that is about ₹120 more a month. A family using two litres a day will pay about ₹240 more.
The association has not published a new rate card, and prices printed on packets will differ by brand. Check the MRP on the packet or ask your milk vendor from Monday.
Why dairies raised prices
According to Pune Pulse and PuneNow, the dairies listed these reasons:
- Higher prices for cattle feed and fodder
- Costlier diesel and transport
- Rising packaging, sugar and staff costs
- Weak rainfall in some districts, including Kolhapur, which cut milk output
- Competition from milk brands based outside Maharashtra
The association said the hike will let milk unions pay higher procurement prices to dairy farmers. It did not say how much more farmers will get per litre.
What other dairies have done
The Maharashtra hike follows national brands. Amul and Mother Dairy raised prices by ₹2 to ₹4 a litre from November 12, with Amul Taaza up ₹2 and Amul Gold up ₹4, according to Pune Pulse. Kolhapur’s Gokul Milk Union, which is widely sold in Pune, was considering its own revision, with a board discussion set for Saturday, November 14.
Curd, paneer and sweets may cost more
The proposed rise of up to 10% on dairy products will hit sweet shops, hotels and tea stalls that use large amounts of milk. Pune’s chai and misal joints may revise rates in the coming weeks, though none has announced changes yet. Gas costs for restaurants have also gone up, after MNGL raised CNG and PNG prices this week.
What is still not clear
The association has not released brand-wise new prices, and it is not yet confirmed whether every member dairy will apply the full ₹4 from November 16. Gokul’s final decision was also pending. We will update this story when new rate cards are out.
Frequently asked questions
When does the milk price hike start in Pune?
The ₹4 per litre increase applies from Monday, November 16, 2026, according to the dairy association.
Is the milk price hike for cow milk or buffalo milk?
Both. Cow and buffalo milk are going up by ₹4 a litre each.
Will curd and paneer prices also go up?
Dairies have indicated that curd, paneer, ghee, butter and milk powder may rise by up to 10%.
Why have milk prices increased in Maharashtra?
Dairies cited higher cattle feed, diesel, packaging and sugar costs, and lower milk output in some districts.
