Food price inflation, which is in the headline these days, is generally associated with rising prices of food grains and vegetables. But these prices are cyclical—they rise and they fall. But one food item, the price of which has risen steadily over the years, is milk. Here is by how much:
Then: A litre of full-cream milk was priced at Rs 9.50 in 1996
Now: It costs Rs 24, an increase of 152% in the past 12 years
Then: If prices keep rising at the same rate, a litre of fullcream milk may cost Rs 60.50 in 2020.
The sharp rise in price has taken place in the years when the share of milk and milk products in the consumption basket of Indians has risen by 30%—a double whammy. One cold comfort: the variety of milk available has increased. And the health conscious can opt for lower cream and lower-priced milk.
