Sikkim Milk Prices Rise from July 1 – First Hike in 14 Months
Consumers in Sikkim will pay more for milk starting Tuesday, July 1, as the Sikkim Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. has implemented a long-anticipated price revision across its product range. This marks the first price increase since May 1, 2023.
The revised rates, outlined in an official circular dated June 29, are now in effect across major retail markets in Gangtok and Jorethang.
🥛 Revised Milk Prices
- High-Cream Milk (1 litre): ₹68 (up from ₹65)
- High-Cream Milk (500 ml): ₹35 (up from ₹33)
- Toned Milk (500 ml): ₹33 (up from ₹31)
While the retail rates have gone up by ₹2–₹3 per unit, the commission structure for milk-selling agents remains unchanged, according to the Union.
📅 Symbolic Timing: Gwala Diwas
The timing of the price hike is significant—it comes on Gwala Diwas, a regional observance honouring dairy farmers and milk producers. The Union’s announcement subtly reinforces the need to support the livelihoods of dairy cooperatives, particularly as input costs and operational expenses continue to rise across India’s dairy value chain.
🗣️ Expert Perspective
“Milk price revisions are necessary to balance rising input costs while sustaining farmer returns. For regions like Sikkim, where dairy farming is a key livelihood, such adjustments help maintain the cooperative model’s viability,” said Prashant Mehta, Dairy Analyst, GlobalAgri Insights (Jordbrukare company).
🧭 Context for the Indian Dairy Sector
This development adds to a growing trend of milk price hikes across India, driven by:
- Increased fodder, transport, and packaging costs
- Fluctuating procurement rates from dairy cooperatives
- Seasonal dips in milk production volumes
As milk prices 2025 become a central concern for both consumers and producers, the Sikkim dairy sector will need to strike a careful balance between affordability and fair farmer compensation.
