The ₹8 per litre hike in Nandini milk prices came into effect across Karnataka on 1 November 2026, drawing sharp resentment from consumers in Bengaluru even as Bengaluru Milk Union Limited (BAMUL) President D.K. Suresh defended the revision as a necessary step to protect the livelihoods of dairy farmers. The increase was announced jointly by the Karnataka government and the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).

What Has Changed in Milk and Dairy Prices

Under the revised pricing, retail consumers will pay ₹8 more per litre for Nandini milk starting Sunday. Curd prices have also been revised upward — from ₹54 to ₹68 per kg, an increase of ₹14 per kg — adding to the overall cost burden on households. The simultaneous increase across multiple dairy products has intensified criticism against the state government.

Notably, BAMUL President Suresh acknowledged that there had been a demand to raise prices by as much as ₹12 per litre, suggesting the implemented hike was a moderated response. He also pointed out that milk prices in neighbouring states are significantly higher than Karnataka's revised rates.

What BAMUL and the Government Said

D.K. Suresh, who is also the younger brother of Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, addressed a public gathering and offered an apology even while justifying the decision. 'If farmers survive, all of us will survive. Nandini milk will cost you more, but it is good news for farmers. I apologise for the price hike, but farmers will have to survive,' he said.

Suresh appealed to consumers to continue supporting the Nandini brand — including its milk, ghee, and paneer — calling the products 'healthier.' He also said the government was empowering farmers 'under the leadership of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.'

Chief Minister Shivakumar, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Saturday, said the decision 'was taken to protect farmers and ensure proper care of gau matas (cows) during the ongoing drought period.' He stressed that declining milk production due to drought had made the hike unavoidable, and that farmers needed adequate income to sustain cattle feed. 'We should protect Gau matas during this drought period. We have taken this decision after giving it careful thought for years,' he said.

Why Consumers Are Unhappy

Bengaluru residents were seen expressing anger over the price revision, criticising the state government for what they see as an added financial burden. The revision comes at a time when household budgets are already strained by broader inflationary pressures. While the government has defended the move on farmer welfare grounds, critics argue that the simultaneous hike in curd prices — which Shivakumar said the government could not directly control — compounds the impact on middle-class and lower-income consumers.

This comes amid a period of declining milk output in Karnataka, which the government has attributed to ongoing drought conditions affecting fodder availability and cattle health across the state.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

The Nandini brand, managed by KMF, is one of the most recognised dairy cooperatives in South India and a direct competitor to national brands in the region. Price revisions for Nandini products are politically sensitive given the brand's deep consumer base and its role as a price anchor in Karnataka's dairy market.

The government's framing — linking the hike to drought relief and farmer welfare — is likely to face continued scrutiny as consumers track whether procurement prices paid to farmers are raised in commensurate proportion. How Karnataka manages consumer sentiment in the weeks following the revision will be closely watched, especially given the political profile of both Shivakumar and Suresh.