April 7, 2023

India monitors supply-demand gap in dairy products, to decide on imports

The Indian government said it is monitoring the supply-demand gap in dairy products in the country along with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and depending on the situation, a decision regarding imports will be made, News Drum reported.

India's Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy said there is a supply-demand gap in the dairy industry, which is primarily due to the increased consumption of nutritious, safe and hygienic milk and milk products following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several dairy cooperatives in India have requested to import conserved dairy products, including milk fat and powder, due to rising demand and milk supply shortages during the ensuing summer season, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said that imports may be made to help dairy cooperatives meet demand, but the imported goods are only routed through NDDB and that dairy unions may receive stocks at the market price following a proper assessment.

This will ensure that the market is not distorted and that the interests of the dairy farmers are protected, which are crucial and central to any decision made by the government, the ministry's statement said.

Sharad Pawar, the leader of the India's Nationalist Congress Party and former Minister of Agriculture, has written to the government to express his opposition to the proposal to import dairy products. He said that it would negatively impact the income of domestic milk producers.

-      News Drum