Milk sellers threaten to raise price to Rs300/liter in Karachi

The milk retailers’ and wholesalers’ associations in Karachi have warned that if the city administration does not immediately issue a new price notification, they will unilaterally fix milk prices at Rs300 per liter starting October 11.

According to details, a standoff has emerged between dairy farmers and Karachi’s municipal administration over the proposed increase in milk prices.

While farmers and wholesalers are demanding an immediate hike, the administration insists that milk quality must first be evaluated before any decision is made.

A meeting chaired by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi was recently held, attended by representatives of dairy farmers, wholesalers, retailers, consumer groups, and relevant departments. During the session, it was decided that a new price would only be determined after comprehensive quality testing.

To facilitate this process, a committee comprising officials from concerned departments and consumer representatives has been formed. The committee has been tasked with collecting 50 milk samples from various parts of Karachi, covering all stages — farmers, wholesalers, and retailers.

All samples will be analyzed by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), and the findings are expected within seven days.

Meanwhile, milk sellers maintain that the rising cost of fodder, fuel, and transportation has made it unsustainable to continue selling at current prices.

The administration, however, has urged stakeholders to await the quality assessment before taking unilateral action.