Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Vijaya Dairy hikes milk prices by Rs 2 per litre
A big milk company in India, called Vijaya Dairy, is making milk cost a little more money.
Starting August 10, each packet of milk will cost Rs 1 more, which means Rs 2 more for a full litre.
This change affects seven different kinds of milk they sell.
For example, Gold milk will now cost Rs 40 for half a litre.
The company says it needs more money because feeding cows, transporting milk, and packing it now costs more.
This is the second time this year they have raised the price, after an earlier increase in April.
Some people are not happy about the new prices.
A group of protesters gathered in Vijayawada to say the price increase is unfair.
They think the government is trying to help private milk companies instead of the cooperative dairy.
The dairy's leader is asking everyone to work together and accept the new prices.
Vijaya Dairy, the Krishna Milk Union cooperative, announced a hike of Rs 2 per litre (Rs 1 per 500 ml packet) across seven milk varieties, effective from August 10.
The revised prices will apply from the invoice date of August 9, including for monthly cardholders.
New prices include Gold milk at Rs 40, Full Cream at Rs 39, Standardised at Rs 34, Toned at Rs 32, Double Toned at Rs 30, and Homogenised Full Cream and Tea Mate at Rs 37 per 500 ml packet.
Managing director Kolli Eswara Rao said the revision was driven by higher milk procurement costs, diesel and transportation charges, packing material costs, and other operational expenses.
CPM leaders and cadres staged a protest and dharna at Lenin Centre in Vijayawada, with Ch Baburao alleging the state government is undermining the Krishna Milk Union to benefit Heritage and other private dairies.
- Who
- Vijaya Dairy (Krishna District Milk Producers Mutually Aided Cooperative Union Limited), managing director Kolli Eswara Rao, and CPM protesters led by Ch Baburao
- What
- A milk price hike of Rs 2 per litre (Rs 1 per 500 ml packet) across seven varieties of milk
- When
- Announced on Saturday, effective from August 10, applicable from the August 9 invoice date
- Where
- Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Why
- A substantial increase in milk procurement costs, diesel and transportation charges, packing material costs, and other operational expenses
CPM and consumers
Vijaya Dairy management
Reason for the price hike
CPM and consumers
CPM state secretariat member Ch Baburao alleged the state government is undermining the Krishna Milk Union to benefit Heritage and other private dairies, implying the hike serves private interests.
Vijaya Dairy management
The dairy said the revision was necessary due to a substantial increase in milk procurement costs, diesel and transportation charges, packing material costs, and other operational expenses.
Timing and burden of the hike
CPM and consumers
Protesters questioned the need for another price hike within four months and said it would impose an additional financial burden on consumers.
Vijaya Dairy management
The cooperative appealed to distributors, retailers and consumers to extend their cooperation to the dairy, framing the increase as unavoidable.
- Price increase
- Rs 2 per litre / Rs 1 per 500 ml packet
- Effective date
- August 10 (from August 9 invoice date)
- Varieties affected
- 7 milk varieties
- Gold milk
- Rs 40 per 500 ml (up from Rs 39)
- Full cream milk
- Rs 39 per 500 ml (up from Rs 38)
- Toned milk
- Rs 32 per 500 ml (up from Rs 31)
- Previous hike
- Rs 2 per litre in April
- Managing director
- Kolli Eswara Rao