The Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation (Comfed) has announced an increase in the prices of all Sudha milk variants, effective from May 25. The revised rates see a hike of Rs 2 to Rs 4 per litre and Re 1 to Rs 2 for 500 ml packets. This move has triggered concerns among homemakers and small business owners, particularly roadside tea stall operators, who are planning to adjust their prices accordingly.
Revised Milk Prices
Under the new tariff structure, introduced to offset rising cattle feed and operational costs, Sudha Gold will now cost Rs 68 per litre. Sudha Shakti and cow milk variants are priced at Rs 60 and Rs 57 per litre, respectively. The price adjustment reflects an increase in procurement prices paid to cattle rearers by Rs 2 to Rs 3 per litre, along with higher expenditure on raw materials, packaging, and transportation.
Impact on Consumers
Residents and small business operators have reacted differently to the price rise, though many acknowledge it will directly affect their monthly budgets. Ankit Pratap Singh of Gaighat, a regular buyer of Sudha Gold, stated that he had anticipated the increase due to rising fuel prices and plans to reduce spending elsewhere to balance his expenses. Juli Raj of Vidhayak Colony, who purchases 2.5 litres of cow milk daily, said she would adjust her household budget but noted that lower-income families could face difficulties. Homemaker Sunita Rai from Boring Road mentioned that she would need to reassess her monthly expenses to manage the additional daily cost of milk.
Reaction from Tea Stall Owners
Tea stall owners have also been affected by the hike. Jugal Rai, who runs a tea stall on Jamal Road, said he plans to increase tea prices by Rs 2 per cup to compensate for higher milk and LPG costs. Another tea seller, Abhishek, expressed confidence that customer demand would remain stable despite the increase. Comfed officials reported that around 15 to 16 lakh litres of milk are sold daily in Bihar, with the pink-packaged cow milk variant being the most popular.
Price Increases on Other Dairy Products
Comfed has also revised prices of several other dairy products. Mishti Dahi and plain Lassi prices have gone up by Rs 2, while paneer, ghee, and sweets have become costlier by Rs 10 to Rs 20. The steepest increase was recorded in 500 gm table butter, whose price has been raised by Rs 35.
This price hike is expected to impact household budgets and small businesses across Bihar, as milk is a staple commodity in daily consumption.
