India's Milk Production Stagnates, Imports on the Rise Due to Disease and Cost Increase.
India's milk prices have risen over 15% to 56 rupees ($0.68) a litre in the past year, the fastest rise in a decade, due to a lethal condition called lumpy skin disease in cows and a drawdown in market-ready cattle stock after the coronavirus pandemic slowed breeding. The soaring prices of milk and other basic goods is expected to become a political issue heading into state elections later this year. India, the world's biggest milk producer, is expected to step up imports to boost supplies and ease cost of living pressures.