Milma Vs Nandini: Kerala's Popular Milk Brand To Open Outlets in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Kerala's leading milk brand Milma has announced plans to open outlets in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, in a move seen as a tit-for-tat against Karnataka's Nandini brand.

Milma chairman KS Mani said that the decision was not a reaction to Nandini's entry into Kerala, but was part of the company's expansion plans. However, he did admit that the move would help Milma to counter Nandini's presence in the neighboring states. He clarified that the outlets would exclusively sell milk products, not milk itself.

Nandini, which is owned by the Karnataka Co-operative Milk Federation (KMF), had opened outlets in Kerala last year, despite opposition from Milma and the state government.

Despite the resistance, Nandini successfully launched multiple outlets within the state. The Kerala Dairy Development department and Milma even reached out to the National Dairy Development Board, seeking intervention in the matter.

Nandini presently operates six outlets in Kerala and plans to open three more. Initially, the milk was sold at lower rates, but due to objections raised by the Kerala Government, the prices were subsequently increased.

Dairy Development Minister J Chinchu Rani criticized Nandini's actions, stating that their decision was contrary to the principles of federalism.

With Milma now venturing into Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the competition between the two prominent milk brands is expected not to end anytime soon.