Imported milk powder prices up again

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Milk Powder Importers’ Association yesterday announced that the prices of imported powdered milk would be increased with effect from midnight yesterday (30 December.)

Spokesman for the Association Asoka Bandara said that the decisionto increase prices had been taken because the price of milk powder had increased in the world market. Moreover, shipping costs too had gone up, he said.

The price of a packet of milk powder weighing one kilo will be increased by Rs. 150.00. The price of a packet of milk powder weighing 400 grams will be increased by Rs. 60.00.

“The price of a packet of milk powder weighing one kilo will be Rs. 1,345. It was Rs. 1,195 earlier. The price of a packet of milk powder weighing 400 grams which is Rs. 540 now was sold at Rs. 480 before,” Bandara said.

On 10 October, 2021, the price of a packet of milk powder weighing one kilo was increased by Rs. 250.00. The price of a packet of milk powder weighing 400 grams was increased by Rs. 100.00. Before the price increase in October, a one kilo packet of milk powder was sold at Rs. 945- and a 400-gram packet was sold at Rs. 380.

Bandara added that the price increase was beyond their control and that there was nothing that the government could do as well.

“The price of milk powder has been going up for eight weeks now. We can’t sell at the previous prices without making significant losses. What makes matters worse is the rise in freight costs,” Bandara said.