Milk Volumes Drop By 5.2 Million Kilograms As Cold Weather Bites On

The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) has reported a 10 percent decline on milk intake by processors in the five months to May.

Milk volumes reduced from 52 million kilograms in the month of April to 46.8 million kilograms in May, and a further five percent decline is expected in the months of June and July due to the cold weather.

According to KDB, the projected decline for June and July caused by the ongoing cold weather will most affect high altitude areas like Nyeri, Kinangip, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Kiambu.

“Milk intakes in June and July 2018 are projected to drop by approximately five percent as a result of cold weather, especially in high altitude areas such as Kinangop, Nyeri, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Kiambu,” said the KDB.

The cold weather, the regulator said, affects the physiology of dairy animals leading to lower milk production.

The price of milk has remained low at an average of 50 shillings for a 500ml packet for the last one year after hitting a high of 60 shillings in April 2017.

The milk production in Kenya is smallholder based with over one million farmers being involved.

Overall, the industry has a contribution of approximately four percent of the Gross Domestic Product and provides 750,000 and 500,000 direct and indirect jobs respectively.

In 2015, the law was amended to allow the Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund to include milk powder as a strategic food commodity.

Kenya’s consumption trend has also been on an upward trend. It is estimated that per capita consumption of milk and milk products stands at an estimated 90-110 liter per annum, which is one of the highest in Sub-Sahara Africa, though, it remains lower than the world standard of 210 liters per annum.

Most milk produced in Kenya is consumed without being processed by the formal milk industry.

The government has put in place several measures to control informal milk marketing including increased surveillance and consumer education to encourage consumers to consume only safe and quality milk.