Milk prices likely to climb after a long lull, may rise by Rs 2-4 a litre

Dairy companies are planning to raise milk prices by Rs 2-4 a litre by the end of this month, pointing to a rise in cost of production, rising demand and depleting inventory on reduced supply from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. 

Prices of milk and derivatives such as cheese, butter, curd and skimmed milk powder (SMP) were subdued for two years, on a supply surplus. August 2018 had seen a fall in their prices. However, the price of SMP, for instance, has risen from Rs 125 a kg in that month to a current Rs 200-210 a kg. Ghee, cheese