Dairy farmers in Karachi have demanded a Rs. 60 per liter increase in the official milk price, warning that the retail rate could reach Rs. 300 if the government and local administration do not approve a revised price.

Shabbir Dar, spokesperson for the dairy farmers, said it had become difficult for farmers to continue selling milk at the existing rate due to rising production costs.

He warned that farmers could set the retail price at Rs. 300 per liter on their own if the authorities failed to issue a notification approving the requested increase.

Dar also criticized the Karachi administration, claiming that the Commissioner had delayed the issue despite repeated requests and meetings with dairy farmers. He said the administration had yet to hold a formal meeting to resolve the matter.

Rising fuel prices have further increased farmers’ expenses, particularly the cost of transporting milk and purchasing cattle feed.

According to Dar, the price of cattle feed has surged from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,700. He added that veterinary medicines, electricity, labor and water expenses had also increased significantly.

The dairy farmers’ representative called on the authorities to revise the milk price according to current production costs.

He warned that failure to agree on a revised rate could eventually affect the supply of milk across Karachi.