The Tamil Nadu Milk Producer’s Welfare Association (TNMPWA) has demanded a hike in the milk procurement price and the price of Aavin milk. It also urged the opposition leaders not to politicise the issue.The TNMPWA general secretary, M.G. Rajendran, said that Aavin has the capacity to procure 37-40 lakh litres of milk per day through the 29 district unions in the State. At present, Aavin is procuring 30 lakh litres of milk through cooperative societies and 50,000 litres of milk from Karnataka. It procures one litre of milk for ₹38.He stated that while Tamil Nadu produces three crore litres of milk a day, Aavin unions are sustaining losses. Due to the higher procurement prices of the private dairies (₹8 to ₹10 per litre higher than Aavin), farmers prefer private companies. “Only about 12% of consumers buy Aavin milk and the remaining opt for private dairies, even though the milk prices of these companies are higher,” Mr. Rajendran added. While Aavin sells milk for ₹44 per litre, private milk companies are selling it between ₹69 and ₹74, depending on quality, he said.Urging the State government to increase the milk procurement price for Aavin, Mr. Rajendran alleged that the government is hesitating to hike the milk price, as it will draw criticism from the opposition parties. “The reality is that 88% of people buy milk at a higher price. Therefore, the government should increase both the procurement and retail prices,” he emphasised.Mr. Rajendran said that the association has submitted a detailed petition to the government and the party high commands of the PMK, NTK, BJP, and CPI(M). The TVK, in its election manifesto, assured a raise in milk procurement price to ₹44 per litre from ₹38. “While the TNMPWA demands an increase to ₹61 per litre, the government should at least increase the price as promised during the election, in the first phase,” he added. Published - July 14, 2026 07:38 pm IST