It is reported that the Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, is going to inform the cabinet about a request made by private and government-owned milk companies to suspend the import of milk powder.
A meeting has been held between Milko Private Limited, National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) and Palwatta Dairy Industry Limited officials and the Minister of Agriculture to discuss the current situation regarding local milk production. Milko and NLDB officials have said that in the last six months 2,599,617 and 19,152,766 liters of milk have been produced respectively.
They have stated that during that period, milk production will show a growth of 30% compared to the relevant period of last year (2022).
Officials of the Palwatta dairy industry have pointed out that 500 metric tons (MT) of milk powder is produced with local liquid milk, and despite the increase in milk production, it has become difficult to sell their products due to imported milk powder.
It is reported that the officials of those institutions have requested the Minister to suspend the importation of milk powder as the production of local milk powder is at a high level and in response to that request, the minister has stated that he will submit a detailed report on the local milk production to the cabinet and take a decision on the request of the companies later.
