Pune: The Pune District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, popularly known as Katraj Dairy, has reported a net profit of ₹3.01 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24.
With an impressive turnover of ₹371 crore, this marks the highest in the organization’s history. The dairy sector, including milk and dairy products, saw a significant increase in both sales and production, further strengthening its position in the market.
Of the total turnover, ₹80 crore was generated from the sale of dairy products, while ₹276 crore came from milk sales. Despite no prior provisions for a milk price differential in the last fiscal year, the union managed to distribute ₹6.61 crore to dairy farmers at a rate of ₹1 per liter, thanks to the strong financial performance.
Farmers supplying milk to the union received an average of ₹31.39 per liter for cow’s milk and ₹50.85 per liter for buffalo’s milk. The union has maintained a steady collection rate, averaging two lakh liters of milk per day throughout the year.
Additionally, 131 bulk milk coolers have been installed, including both privately-owned and union coolers, ensuring better milk storage and distribution.
The union also operates 85 modern milk and ice cream parlors, with plans to increase sales of milk and dairy products by 20% in the coming year.
This expansion includes an ambitious goal to set up 10 new parlors in urban areas, providing easy access to fresh milk and dairy products.
Katraj Dairy has also expanded its cattle feed operations, with sales reaching ₹9.83 crore during the fiscal year. Farmers who purchased this feed received an additional ₹1 to ₹1.50 per liter for their milk, leading to a monthly sale of approximately 450 to 500 tons of feed.
In an effort to boost cattle feed sales further, the union has appointed livestock supervisors in each taluka.
At the Avasari Milk Chilling Center, the union has established a biogas and organic fertilizer project. The production unit is now fully operational, and the union has also introduced an IVF technology program, which has successfully bred 35 new calves of superior genetic quality.
Katraj Dairy is planning further expansions, with a focus on setting up a state-of-the-art dairy plant and producing premium skimmed milk curd. In addition, the dairy will introduce one-liter and half-liter packs of premium toned milk to the market.
The organization is also speeding up work on a ₹74 crore expansion project under the DIDF scheme, funded by the National Dairy Development Board, aimed at modernizing its facilities and launching new products.