Milk shortages to continue

SOUTH Africa’s Milk Producers Organisation (MPO) says consumers will continue to experience milk shortages for a few more months.

MPO Managing Director Etienne Terre’Blanche said in a press release that South Africa is experiencing a sharp increase in the consumption of dairy products. Although farmers are now getting about 24 per cent more for milk than last year, the price increase would not have an immediate effect on production.He said efforts were being made to up milk production, but a lack of cattle fodder was hampering this and the first effects would only be seen by September.He said the number of milk producers in South Africa had dropped from 7 200 at the beginning of 1998 to 3 800 at the moment, mainly because of lower producer prices paid by milk processors.Although farmers are now getting about 24 per cent more for milk than last year, the price increase would not have an immediate effect on production.He said efforts were being made to up milk production, but a lack of cattle fodder was hampering this and the first effects would only be seen by September.He said the number of milk producers in South Africa had dropped from 7 200 at the beginning of 1998 to 3 800 at the moment, mainly because of lower producer prices paid by milk processors.