GUWAHATI: In a recent development, the price of milk per litre has been increased by ₹4 in Guwahati with effect from today, as announced by the Assam Chamber of Commerce on Thursday in a press conference.
According to the Chamber, out of the total hike of ₹4, ₹3.5 will directly benefit the dairy farmers, providing them with some relief, while the remaining ₹0.5 will go to the businesses involved in milk distribution.
Prior to this latest increase, the price of one litre of milk in Guwahati was ₹60. However, with the new price adjustment, consumers will now have to shell out ₹64 for the same quantity of milk.
It is worth noting that this recent announcement follows closely after the Greater Guwahati Dairy Farmers' Association decided to raise the milk rates.
Just a few weeks ago, on July 1, the association increased the price of milk by ₹5, making it ₹58 per litre instead of the earlier rate of ₹53.
The Greater Guwahati Dairy Farmers' Association attributed the need for these price hikes to the soaring costs of fodder for the cows, which put additional financial pressure on dairy farmers. Consequently, the wholesale price at which suppliers were purchasing milk from dairy farmers increased to ₹58.60 per litre.
However, it appears that the latest hike has raised concerns among wholesale suppliers who have reportedly refused to purchase milk at such elevated rates.
On the other side of the coin, the Greater Guwahati Dairy Farmers' Association has expressed their intentions to find an alternative solution by selling milk directly to consumers if the wholesale suppliers persist in not procuring their produce.