agriculture

Milk production drops as heavy rains continue

Supermarkets are complaining that they don’t have enough milk to supply demand.

víctor arosemena/la prensa

dairy free: Industry experts say the current shortage of milk is typical of the rainy season, when the increased humidity sometimes causes conditions that make cows consume less and in turn, produce less.1110704

Torrential rains throughout the country, especially in upland areas, have disrupted the supply of milk to some supermarkets, according to industry sources.

Representatives from El Machetazo, Super 99 and El Rey stores explained that the irregular supply of milk is hurting business at many of their outlets, and is already being reflected in their profits.

“Distributors have only been delivering half of our total orders for milk products,” said Elisa Gnazzo, director of corporate affairs at El Machetazo.

Super 99 administrators said that one store in the capital ran completely dry of milk yesterday before they could restock. Once a fresh supply arrived, there was a run on milk that quickly left shelves empty again.

The two major milk producers in the country, Estrella Azul and Bonlac, have expressed concern over the decline in milk output, one of the key components of the basic family basket.

Frank Tedman, president of the Association of Milk Processors and operations manager at Estrella Azul, acknowledged that there is a milk shortage, but said that the situation is typical of the rainy season and that the crisis doesn’t usually last long.

Tedman insisted on the need to increase national production capacity from the current annual average, which is around 70 million liters. Although that figure represents an increase of 6 percent over previous years’ production, it “remains low” when compared to growing demand.

“The production of Grade A milk shows the least decrease during the rainy season. Grade C milk, however, falls much further, from about 7 million to 6 million liters per month,” said Sabastian Peralta, president of the National Association of Livestock Owners.

Both supermarkets and milk producers expected a more stable production toward year’s end and a more regular supply through early 2009.

“Too much rain causes fungi to grow in the cows’ hooves,” explained Peralta. “And when that happens, they are so wrapped up in itching that they don’t eat as much, and this causes production levels to drop off.”

Members of the association discounted the idea that the temporary shortage would justify an increase in milk prices at this time.

“If there is an increase, it would be because of speculation,” Peralta said.