Bengaluru: Consumers in Karnataka will have to pay more for Nandini dairy products, with the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) increasing the prices of ghee, butter and paneer across the state from November 4. The latest revision comes barely a week after the state-owned dairy brand increased milk and curd prices, adding to the burden on household budgets.

Among the major increases is the price of Nandini ghee. A one-litre sachet, which previously cost Rs 715, will now be priced at Rs 850. Similarly, the price of a one-kg pack of paneer has increased from Rs 408 to Rs 485. Unsalted butter has also become considerably costlier, with the 500-gram pack rising from Rs 285 to Rs 390.

The revised maximum retail prices (MRP) were announced through a circular issued by the Bengaluru Milk Union and came into effect on Wednesday, November 4.

Nandini revises ghee prices across pack sizes

The latest revision covers different pack sizes and packaging categories of Nandini ghee, including sachets, PET jars and metal tins.

According to the revised rates, a 200-ml sachet of ghee will now cost Rs 95, while the 500-ml pack has been priced at Rs 425.

Ghee sold in PET jars will also see revised prices. The 50-ml jar will cost Rs 65, the 100-ml jar Rs 100, the 200-ml jar Rs 180 and the 500-ml jar Rs 435. The one-litre PET jar will now retail at Rs 870.

For larger consumers, the five-litre pack has been priced at Rs 4,250. Meanwhile, the one-litre ghee tin will cost Rs 870, while the 15-kg tin has been revised to Rs 14,100.

The increase in ghee prices is among the most significant components of the latest revision, particularly for households and businesses that regularly use the product.

Butter and paneer prices also increased

Nandini butter prices have also undergone substantial changes, with both salted and unsalted varieties becoming costlier.

The revised price of salted butter is Rs 90 for the 100-gram pack and Rs 380 for the 500-gram pack.

For unsalted butter, the 200-gram pack will now cost Rs 160, while the 500-gram pack has been priced at Rs 390.

The family pack will be available at Rs 90, while the 10-gram blister pack has been priced at Rs 900 per kg.

Paneer consumers will also face higher prices. The revised rates are Rs 115 for 200 grams, Rs 260 for 500 grams and Rs 485 for one kg.

The 200-gram pack of medium-fat paneer will now cost Rs 110.

The revision also covers Trupti milk, with the 135-ml pack priced at Rs 11 and the 450-ml pack at Rs 33.

Latest hike follows milk and curd price revision

The latest increase comes shortly after KMF announced a revision in Nandini milk and curd prices.

From November 1, milk prices were increased by Rs 8 per litre, taking the revised price to Rs 54 per litre. Curd prices were also initially increased by Rs 14 per litre.

The milk price revision had attracted criticism from the Opposition, with the BJP women’s wing organising a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Monday, demanding that the Congress government withdraw the increase. Similar protests were reported in other parts of Karnataka.

The government, however, defended the decision, stating that the additional revenue would help improve payments to dairy farmers.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the price increase would benefit nearly 11 lakh farmer families. He also said that the Karnataka Milk Federation had agreed to reduce the increased curd price by Rs 2 per litre following his suggestion.

“I have suggested to them (KMF office-bearers) to reduce the curd prices, they have agreed to reduce it by Rs 2 per litre,” Shivakumar said.

Explaining the reasons behind the milk price revision, he said Karnataka had been facing a situation in which milk was being diverted to neighbouring states where producers received better prices.

“Following this increase, I’m told that about 10 lakh litres have started coming back to us,” he said, adding that there had been demands for an increase of Rs 12 per litre.

The government maintained that the revision was necessary to ensure better returns for dairy farmers and strengthen milk procurement within the state.

However, the latest increase in ghee, butter and paneer prices has come within days of the earlier announcement, leaving consumers with little time to adjust to the revised rates.

Amul also increases ghee and butter prices

The Nandini price revision comes amid similar changes announced by dairy major Amul, which increased the prices of select ghee and butter products on November 3.

The price of a one-kg carton of Amul ghee has increased from Rs 640 to Rs 680, while the 500-gram pouch now costs Rs 345, compared with the earlier price of Rs 325.

Amul cow ghee has also become costlier. The 500-ml pouch has increased from Rs 350 to Rs 370, while the one-litre pack has gone up from Rs 695 to Rs 735.

Butter prices have also been revised. The 100-gram pack now costs Rs 66, up from Rs 63. The price of the 500-gram pack has increased by Rs 15, from Rs 310 to Rs 325.

The company has attributed the changes to increased festive demand and reported supply shortages in several markets.

Consumers face successive dairy price increases

With Nandini revising the prices of milk, curd, ghee, butter and paneer within a short period, consumers across Karnataka are facing successive increases in the cost of commonly used dairy products.

The latest revision is likely to affect households as well as hotels, restaurants, bakeries and other food businesses that depend on dairy products.

While the government has emphasised the need to ensure better returns for dairy farmers, the successive price increases have also brought consumer affordability into focus.

With the revised rates already in force, consumers will have to factor in the higher prices while purchasing Nandini dairy products across the state.