Hyderabad raises milk price by Rs15 per litre

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad’s district administration adjusted milk price in the city following recommendations from the Livestock Sindh department on Tuesday.

A recent notification issued by the administration has increased the retail price of milk to Rs215 per litre, marking a Rs15 hike. The wholesale rate has been fixed at Rs 200 per litre.

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Milk prices in Pakistan have risen sharply, including tetra milk. Milk price soared by more than 20 per cent following the implementation of an 18 per cent tax on packaged milk.

The price increase drove the cost of ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk to Rs370 per litre in Karachi, surpassing prices observed in major cities like Amsterdam, Paris, and Melbourne.

The tax adjustment forms part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at meeting International Monetary Fund bailout conditions, with overall taxes escalating by 40 per cent.

The sudden rise in milk price comes amidst stagnant wage growth, exacerbating concerns over inflationary pressures across Pakistan. The economic strain is particularly impactful on daily consumers who heavily rely on milk for essential needs.

Experts warn that heightened milk price would directly strain household budgets, particularly for low and middle-income families reliant on milk as a staple. This could reduce purchasing power for other necessities, impacting overall household welfare and consumption patterns.

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Increase in milk prices would also drive up production and transportation costs, affecting the overall cost of living and potentially escalating socioeconomic disparities.

Nutritionally, increased prices may restrict access to essential vitamins, minerals, and protein found in milk, impacting health of especially children already vulnerable to conditions like anaemia and stunting.