Mubasher Qadeer Abbasi, the President of Dairy Farmers Karachi, has issued a warning regarding an impending increase in milk prices in Karachi. The anticipated rise, possibly by Rs. 50 per liter, is attributed to various factors impacting milk production costs.
Reasons for the Expected Price Increase
Abbasi has cited several reasons for the expected hike in milk prices, including the high cost of milk production and escalating cattle prices. He also highlighted government negligence toward addressing these critical issues, which has exacerbated the situation.
Call for Action
Abbasi urged the Karachi Commissioner to take swift action by issuing a notification reflecting the new prices, aligning them with the increased costs of milk production. He emphasized that if authorities fail to announce the price hike by May 10, stakeholders will consider taking matters into their own hands and collectively agree on raising prices.
Recent Notification on Food Prices
The Karachi Commissioner recently issued a notification concerning the prices of essential food items, in response to directives from Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. A price control program was initiated to regulate prices through a designated list, addressing concerns about the affordability of essential commodities.
Current Milk Prices
As per the notification, dairy farm milk prices were set at Rs. 180 for wholesale and Rs. 200 for retail per liter. However, given the prevailing challenges in the dairy industry, stakeholders are advocating for a revision of these prices to reflect the actual costs of milk production.
The looming increase in milk prices in Karachi underscores the challenges faced by the dairy industry and the urgent need for intervention to address these issues. Stakeholders are calling for proactive measures from authorities to ensure the sustainability of milk production and the affordability of essential food items for consumers.
