Shortage of Green Packs Leads to Drop in Aavin Milk Sales in Chennai

Chennai, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : Sales of Aavin milk in Chennai have seen a substantial decline over the past six months, primarily due to a severe shortage of its popular green packaging. This shortage has left customers struggling to meet their daily needs.

The Tamil Nadu government’s dairy cooperative is a major supplier of milk across the state, with a large customer base in Chennai. Aavin milk is sold in orange, green, and blue packs based on its fat content and texture, with the green pack being the most favored among households. Previously, daily sales of Aavin milk in Chennai reached around 1.65 million liters.

However, milk agents report that sales have dropped by 10 to 15 percent over the last six months, as supply has not kept pace with demand. The situation worsened significantly after August.

Customers have noted that green pack milk is frequently unavailable at Aavin outlets and nearby stores. Agents attribute this issue to insufficient procurement by the cooperative, stating that despite consistent customer demand, the volume of milk purchased has not increased.

The supply problem is not confined to Chennai alone; similar shortages have been reported in Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Salem, and Erode districts. Many Aavin outlets have reduced the number of milk crates supplied, further impacting retail availability. In several areas of Chennai, Aavin milk packets sell out early in the morning. Customers arriving later often have to visit multiple outlets or rely on private dairy brands, which are generally more expensive. This shortage has led to accusations of inflated prices at some smaller grocery stores.

Customers point out that the government-set price for half a liter of green Aavin milk is ₹22, yet it is being sold for ₹24, with retailers charging an extra ₹2 per packet. Families who regularly depend on Aavin milk report that this shortage has increased their monthly expenses, as they have no choice but to purchase pricier private milk.

In response, customers have urged the state government and Aavin management to improve milk procurement and supply, restore supply levels to previous standards, and ensure that milk packets are sold at the designated prices. They have also called for regular inspections of retail outlets to prevent price gouging and artificial shortages. Milk agents have warned that if procurement and distribution in Chennai and other affected districts are not improved promptly, conditions could deteriorate further.