Marking its foray into north India, Karnataka Milk Federation–the country’s second-largest cooperative dairy–launched its milk brand Nandini in Delhi on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said: “When you can’t beat Gujarat, be near to it”, in reference to Nandini’s competitor Amul, which is India’s largest milk brand.
With its north India foray, the brand with an annual turnover of Rs 23,000 crore aims to be in the top three milk brands in the national capital region, where Delhi-based Mother Dairy has a formidable presence and a joint 70% market share with Amul.
Also Read DFC doubles freight traffic, handles 13 per cent of railways’ freight load already Shiprocket, CSC to run e-commerce export hubs around Delhi Poll-bound Maharashtra, BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh receive over one-third of PMAY-G allocation for FY25 Amul milk to be launched in Europe this month-end
Also ReadKenya cancels airport and energy deals with Adani group after US indicts tycoon
Speaking with FE, KMF managing director MK Jagadish said: “We are aiming to double our turnover in the next five years by expanding to other states. When we entered Maharashtra, we were nowhere. Today, we are among the top three, and that is where we aim to be in Delhi too.”
Initially entering the NCR market with only milk and curd, to be followed by ghee, the brand already has a distribution network on the grounds and will also set up an experience centre, besides brand outlets. The products are priced marginally less than its competitors.
Jagadish further said that KMF is also looking to enter Madhya Pradesh, western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and the North-East.
Asked if the brand’s entry had faced any opposition from BJP-ruled states, he said: “It’s an open market. We have not faced any issues so far, but, maybe…”
Amul and Nandini are not only market competitors, but were also on the opposite sides of a pre-poll political battle that erupted last year when it was alleged by the Congress that the previous BJP government in the state was trying to merge Nandini with Amul.
Commenting on the launch, Manish Bandlish, managing director, Mother Dairy, told FE: “We believe that the role of organised players will only help drive growth of the dairy industry and the spirit of competition should pave the way to benefit consumers.”
Bandlish said with a strong presence of five decades,
» Read More