Chandigarh, April 29 — Verka, the state-owned milk brand, has raised the maximum retail price of its pouch milk variants by Rs 2 per litre in Punjab, Delhi, NCR, and surrounding areas, effective April 30. However, prices for other milk-based products will remain stable throughout the summer, according to company officials.
The revised prices include a Rs 1 increase per 500ml pouch for several variants. Full cream milk will now be sold at Rs 35 per 500ml, up from Rs 34. Standardized (STD) milk prices rise to Rs 32 per 500ml, from Rs 31.
Other variants, including toned milk, double-toned milk, and cow milk, will also see an increase of Rs 1 per 500ml pouch. Skimmed milk remains unaffected, priced at Rs 23 per 500ml pouch.
Larger quantities will also see price hikes, with 1-litre pouches increasing by Rs 2, and 1.5-litre pouches by Rs 3.
Officials from the Punjab State Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited (Milkfed) explained that the price hike follows a general pattern for the summer months, primarily driven by rising input costs and lower milk production.
“The price revision is part of an annual adjustment to support dairy farmers during the summer, when production typically decreases, and costs rise,” an official said.
The decision to raise prices was confirmed after a meeting held on April 28, where the Milkfed Managing Director and regional general managers from various districts, including Amritsar, Bathinda, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana, were informed.
While milk prices have risen, Verka’s other dairy products remain unaffected by the hike. These include Dahi (180gm) at Rs 20, Dahi (350gm) at Rs 33, Dahi (400gm) at Rs 32, Plain Lassi (800ml) at Rs 30, and Cheese (200gm) at Rs 81.
The move follows similar price increases by other major dairy players in the region, a trend officials say is necessary to cover rising production costs.
“Milk production costs are impacted by various factors, including feed and transportation costs.
The increase is essential to ensure fair compensation to our dairy farmers,” the official added.
