Yoga guru Baba Ramdev recently explained why cow ghee can be sold cheaper too, saying the price is linked to the way the company uses the milk left after extracting butter and turns it into other dairy products. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on September 23, Ramdev rejected allegations that his brand’s cow ghee is fake or adulterated. He said people were drawing conclusions based on hearsay and videos circulating elsewhere. “99% of people are making videos rapidly based only on hearsay,” Ramdev said.
How does Ramdev explain the Rs 700 per litre price?
Photo: Canva
Ramdev’s explanation focused on the use of milk and its by-products. He said India is the world’s largest milk producer and claimed that out of around 100 crore metric tonnes of milk produced globally, around 25 crore metric tonnes comes from India. According to Ramdev, after butter is extracted from milk, the remaining milk does not simply go to waste. He said it can be used to make products such as toned milk, curd, buttermilk, paneer and milk powder.“After we extract butter from the milk, the remaining milk is sold as toned milk. Our cow milk is available in the market at around Rs 50 to Rs 60, which is cheaper than many brands,” he said. He added that the milk can then be used to make several other dairy products. “From that milk, we make curd, buttermilk, paneer or powder. Around 80% of the value of the milk is recovered through these products,” Ramdev said.This, according to his explanation, is an important part of how Patanjali is able to sell its cow ghee at around Rs 700 per litre. “And when ghee is made in a very organised way through this process, this is how ghee is made not only in India but across the world. The toned milk left after making ghee can be converted into powder, curd, buttermilk or paneer,” he said. “It is because of these by-products that we are able to make cow ghee available at around Rs 700 per litre.” Ramdev said this recovery through multiple products allows the company to keep the price of its ghee lower.