Updated: September 26, 2026
Nandini milk is set to cost more in Karnataka. The state government has given in-principle approval to raise Nandini milk prices by ₹4–5 per litre, after pressure from the 16 district milk unions under the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). The unions had asked for a much larger hike of ₹8–10 per litre.
The new rates won’t apply until the government issues a formal order. Until then, you’ll keep paying the current price.
Nandini Milk Price Hike: Key Highlights
- Expected hike: ₹4–5 per litre
- Unions’ demand: ₹8–10 per litre
- Decision: In-principle nod from the government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The formal order is still awaited.
- Proposed split: 70% of the increase to dairy farmers and 30% to milk unions
- Last hike: April 2025 (₹4 per litre)
Nandini Milk Expected New Price List
| Nandini Milk Variant | Current Price (per litre) | Expected New Price (per litre)* |
|---|---|---|
| Toned Milk (Blue packet) | ₹46 | ₹50–51 |
| Homogenised Toned Milk | ₹47 | ₹51–52 |
| Cow Milk / Special Milk | ₹50 | ₹54–55 |
*These are estimates based on the proposed ₹4–5 hike. The official price for each variant will be confirmed in the government’s order.
How Much More Will You Pay Each Month?
If the full ₹5 increase goes through, here’s the extra cost for a typical household:
| Daily Milk Use | Extra Cost per Month |
|---|---|
| 500 ml | ~₹75 |
| 1 litre | ~₹150 |
| 2 litres | ~₹300 |
For a family using two litres a day, that adds up to about ₹3,600 more a year.
Why Is Nandini Milk Getting Costlier?
The milk unions and farmers have given several reasons:
- Higher feed and fodder costs: Cattle feed, fodder, medicines and transport have all become more expensive.
- Drought and a weak monsoon: Dry conditions in parts of Karnataka have left less fodder available, which makes it harder to keep cattle.
- Falling milk procurement: KMF’s daily procurement has dropped from about 1.11 crore litres to 1.03 crore litres.
- Low payments to farmers: Karnataka pays dairy farmers about ₹35–36 per litre, well below neighbouring states.
- Losses at milk unions: Some leaders have said the unions lose around ₹7 on every litre.
How Karnataka Compares With Other States (Price Paid to Farmers)
| State | Price Paid to Farmers (per litre) |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | ₹42.24 |
| Kerala | ₹41.80 |
| Andhra Pradesh | ₹41.50 |
| Maharashtra | ₹41.00 |
| Karnataka | ~₹35–36 |
This gap is the main reason farmers say a hike is overdue. Even after the increase, Nandini is expected to stay among the cheaper milk brands in South India.
Who Benefits From the Hike?
Under the proposed 70:30 formula, most of the increase would go directly to milk producers. The rest would help the milk unions cover processing and distribution costs. Farmer groups say this is necessary so small dairy farmers don’t sell their cattle and leave dairying altogether.
What Has the Government Said?
The Chief Minister asked for detailed data on procurement costs, processing expenses, sales and milk prices in other states before deciding. Reports say the government chose a “middle path” of ₹4–5 so that farmers get better returns without putting too much of a burden on consumers. Opposition leaders have also said they support a price hike for farmers.
Nandini Milk Price Hike History
| Year | Hike |
|---|---|
| April 2025 | ₹4 per litre |
| June 2024 | ₹2 per litre (with 50 ml extra in each packet) |
| August 2023 | ₹3 per litre |
| 2026 (proposed) | ₹4–5 per litre |
When Will the New Nandini Milk Prices Apply?
The date hasn’t been announced yet. The new rates will take effect only after the Karnataka government issues its official order, which is expected soon. We’ll update this article with the confirmed prices for each variant and the start date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much is the Nandini milk price hike in 2026?
The Karnataka government has approved a hike of ₹4–5 per litre in principle. The exact amount for each variant will be in the official order.
2. What is the current price of Nandini toned milk?
Nandini toned milk costs ₹46 per litre. It could rise to about ₹50–51 after the hike.
3. When will the new Nandini milk price come into effect?
It will take effect from the date given in the government’s formal order, which hasn’t been issued yet.
4. Why is KMF increasing milk prices?
Feed and fodder costs have gone up, drought has hit fodder supply, procurement has fallen, and Karnataka farmers are paid less per litre than farmers in neighbouring states.
5. Will Nandini curd and other products also become costlier?
No official announcement has been made about curd or other products yet. In earlier rounds, curd prices usually went up along with milk.
6. How much of the hike will farmers get?
Under the proposed 70:30 formula, about 70% of the increase would go to dairy farmers.
Sources:
- Daijiworld
- NewsKarnataka
- Oneindia
- Goodreturns
- Public TV English
- Siasat
- Deccan Herald – April 2025 hike
- Deccan Herald – 2023 hike