Karnataka is facing a severe shortage in milk supply. The Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation hasn’t increased the maximum retail price (MRP) of milk but has taken a ‘shrinkflation’ step unheard of in the dairy sector. Karnataka has been hit by a severe shortage in milk supply and the state government has taken an udder ingenuous route to trickle down the pains to the common man. And it is all in the milk packet.

The Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (KMF) hasn’t increased the maximum retail price (MRP) but is offering a reduced quantity of the milk at the same price. The Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation sells milk under the brand ‘Nandini’ and people used to pay Rs 50 for a litre (1,000ml) of full-cream milk and Rs 24 for half a litre (500 ml). Now, consumers are shelling out Rs 50 and Rs 24 but for 900 ml and 450 ml, respectively, reported The Indian Express.

Consumers in India have seen the quantity of products in packets, be it potato chips or detergents, get reduced over the last few decades. Though offering less at the same price, termed ‘shrinkflation’, is a common practice among consumer goods companies, it is something new in the dairy sector.

Milk prices have been raised in several parts of the country. Amul had in February raised prices of milk by Rs 3 per litre.

After the revision, Amul Gold is priced at Rs 66 per litre. Amul Taaza is sold at Rs 54 per liter, Amul cow milk Rs 56 per litre and Amul A2 buffalo milk is now priced at Rs 70 per litre.
The price hike was carried out due to an increase in the overall cost of operation and production of milk. The cattle feeding cost alone has increased to approximately 20 per cent, Amul had said. But the move by the Karnataka milk federation is because of supply shortages.

The Karnataka Cooperative Milk Federation saw a slide in milk procurement by nine to 10 lakh litres a day since July 2022, the Deccan Herald reported in January this year. In 2021-22, the output of milk was 84.5 lakh litres a day and this was the first time that milk production in Karnataka had seen a dip in the last five years, it had reported. The decline in milk production is being blamed on the non-availability of green fodder and the unusual heat in this season.