Several organic dairies expect a severe financial loss at an average of $250,000 this year. The drought has created a dramatic increase in feed costs (up to 50 percent), feed shortages, and drought-related operating costs.ĭrought is Threatening Local Dairy Farms, Food Supply, and Communities Organic dairy producers and agricultural industry supporters are part of the coalition seeking immediate emergency drought relief assistance for organic dairy farmers. Industry data shows that milk consumption in Kenya stands at 60 litres per litre per capita.ĭata from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows the formal sector recorded an intake of 802 million litres of milk in 2021 against 684 million the previous year.PETALUMA, Calif.-( BUSINESS WIRE)- Straus Family Creamery, a certified organic creamery whose mission is to sustain family farms and revitalize rural communities, organized the newly formed group named Western Organic Dairy Farming Crisis Coalition. The country requires about 74 million litres monthly to meet the high demand yet production has gone down by almost 15 per cent. These days I go to the supermarket and I can only get fresh milk which at times I’m limited to only a few packets,” he said. “ This would last me for close to a month. Geoffrey Magak, a Juja resident who used to buy two cartoons of long-life milk monthly said he has been forced to seek alternatives. The fresh milk counter at the retail store was also half empty, with purchases restricted to three packets.Ī similar situation was witnessed at the nearby Quickmart store where the long life milk product shelf was been with one litre fresh milk packets. Reduced supply from milk processors has seen supermarket shelves go without long-life milk in the last couple of weeks while some outlets have been forced to ration the number of packets per customer.Ī spot check in various retail stores in Nairobi on Thursday showed near empty shelves for long life milk popular in the market due to its durability.Īn attendant at Naivas Mountain Mall along Thika Road said they have not had long life milk for the past three weeks. This has been occasioned by the high demand for commodities on the global market.Ī 70 kg bag of dairy meal is now retailing at Sh3,400 compared to Sh2,500 in August last year.įeed and fodder account for 55 per cent of the cost of producing a litre of milk. The prices of animal feed has gone up by more than 30 per cent in the last one year, on account of expensive corn, minerals, and soya beans. ![]() It affected fodder for livestock and the cost of animal feeds has also gone up,”he said. “We have gone close to seven months without rain, that has a ripple effect. Sigei, who also chairs the Kenya Dairy Processors Association said Kenya's dairy farming is largely rain fed and rain dependent this determines availability of fodder. “Fresh milk is available so that everybody is able to get it as quickly as we can supply it,” Sigei, told the Star on telephone. He said most processors are now largely supplying fresh milk hence the reason for the acute shortage of long life milk products. “Six months without rains has affected production at farm level and is the main reason why we have dropped by almost 50 per cent in terms of supply,” said Sigei. “We can assure our consumers that the situation should correct itself in two weeks, there is no need to panic,” Kibogy told the Star.Ī similar position was expressed by New KCC boss, Nixon Sigey who said adverse weather conditions saw milk delivery from farmers drop by 50 per cent. Kenya Dairy Board managing director Margaret Kibogy said Kenya's milk production is heavily dependent on rain and with the ongoing rainfall in various parts of the country production will pick and lead to price stabilisation. ![]() The ongoing milk shortage in the country will end in two weeks’ time, according to industry players.
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