Rising milk prices in India, due to a combination of farmers inadequately feeding their cattle during pandemic-related disruption, the cost of cereals (which made cattle feed more expensive), and unseasonable rain and heat waves, could pose a political risk for Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of next year's national elections. Milk is an emotive item for most families, but also has the potential to push up overall inflation as it has the second-largest weight in India’s food basket. High prices of milk could also hurt the balance sheets of major dairy companies if procurement costs continue to rise.