Singh emphasized the industry’s goal to balance the interests of producers and consumers, affirming that any decision to raise prices would need to carefully weigh the financial realities of milk producers against household affordability. Nearly 70% of the cost of milk production in India is linked to feed expenses, making cost management a central focus for dairy cooperatives and private processors alike.

A key context for Singh’s outlook is India’s status as a milk-surplus country, with strong domestic output helping keep supply and demand in rough equilibrium. The Indian government has also maintained protective policies for dairy, keeping the sector out of certain international trade agreements — including aspects of the India-US interim trade deal — to guard local producers from cheap imports that could undermine domestic milk prices.

Singh also noted efforts to diversify and grow regional dairy markets beyond western and southern India. With NDDB support, milk production and procurement have expanded in eastern states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur and Tripura, signaling a structural shift toward a more geographically balanced dairy economy.