How to Price Milk per Litre at a Milk ATM: Costs, Margin and Competitive Pricing
- Add every cost per litre
- Divide by litres sold
- Check local prices
- Smaller sizes cost more per litre
On this page
Costing Worksheet
| Cost line | How to work it out per litre |
|---|---|
| Milk (farm-gate or supplier price) | Price paid per litre |
| Transport | Monthly transport ÷ litres bought |
| Power (cooling) and cleaning | Monthly bill and detergents ÷ litres sold |
| Losses | Spilt, rejected or spoilt litres (often a few percent) spread over sales |
| Rent, permits, staff | Monthly total ÷ litres sold |
| Machine repayment or depreciation | Monthly repayment ÷ litres sold |
| Margin | The profit per litre you need |
For a full calculation use the milk ATM profit calculator.
Worked Example (Illustration Only)
These numbers are made up to show the method; use your own. Suppose your monthly costs other than the milk itself (transport, power, cleaning, rent, permits, a part-time attendant and the machine repayment) total KSh 30,000, and you sell 100 litres a day (about 3,000 litres a month). That is KSh 10 per litre on top of what you pay for the milk, before your margin. At 200 litres a day the same costs fall to KSh 5 per litre. This is why location and volume matter more than a few shillings of price.
Milk ATMs on H-TECH’s Price List
100 Liters Milk vending machine (portable)KSh 95,000
100 Liters Milk vending machine (mdf concept)KSh 105,000
150 Liters Milk vending machine (portable)KSh 139,000
300 Liters Milk vending machine (portable)KSh 265,000
H-TECH 300 LITERS MILK VENDING ATM (double door freezer design))KSh 290,000| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| 100 Liters Milk vending machine (portable) | KSh 95,000 |
| 100 Liters Milk vending machine (mdf concept) | KSh 105,000 |
| 150 Liters Milk vending machine (portable) | KSh 139,000 |
| 300 Liters Milk vending machine (portable) | KSh 265,000 |
| H-TECH 300 LITERS MILK VENDING ATM (double door freezer design)) | KSh 290,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 18 October 2026).
Pricing Smaller Quantities
- Program the ATM for 1 L, 500 ml and 250 ml.
- Small quantities take as much attendant time as a litre, so price them slightly higher per litre.
- Round to amounts customers can pay easily by M-Pesa or coins.
Staying Competitive
- Compare with packet milk and nearby milk bars weekly.
- Compete on freshness and cleanliness, not only price.
- Review your price when farm-gate prices change (dry and rainy seasons).
See milk ATM machine cost and milk ATM vs packaged milk.
Watch: Milk ATMs
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the price of milk per litre?
Add the buying price and every monthly cost divided by litres sold, then add your margin.
Why do milk ATM prices change?
Farm-gate prices rise and fall with the seasons.
Should a half litre cost half the price of a litre?
Usually slightly more than half, to cover handling.
How can I lower my cost per litre?
Sell more litres from the same machine, reduce losses and cut power waste.
How do I set prices on a milk ATM?
The supplier configures the dispensing price; ask for training on changing it.