For years, the dairy crisis has been a constant in Colombia. Regardless of the political color, there are no solutions, today the peasants throughout the country are suffering their worst times.
In the midst of a growing dairy crisis plaguing Colombia, the outlook for milk producers and consumers is increasingly discouraging. The situation, which seriously affects the country's producing regions, has led farmers to take desperate measures, such as throwing away milk instead of selling it, while companies and the government still seem without an effective solution.
One of the great criticisms made of the large companies that today buy raw milk from Colombian farmers is that products such as whole milk, lactose-free milk, powdered milk, etc., is that the price being paid for the milk raw is really unfair reaching areas where a liter of milk can be bought for $800 pesos and sold to the public exceeds $7,000 pesos. Where is the profit staying? milk producers ask themselves.
Also since the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, dairy farmers have stated that large quantities of whey milk are reaching the consumer, a sub-product that does not in the least resemble milk, which does provide essential nutrients and vitamins.
infobae.com highlights how farmers in Santander and Boyacá are at the center of the unprecedented crisis. The lack of demand and low prices have led many producers to discard their milk, a situation that not only affects their income, but also their economic stability. According to recent reports, milk is being dumped rather than marketed, reflecting a bleak outlook for the Colombian dairy industry. The situation has become so critical that farmers are at a crossroads between continuing their activities or abandoning production.
However, Alpina, one of the large dairy products companies in Colombia, responds that it contemplates plans to mitigate the impact. However, the effectiveness of these plans has been questioned. The lack of concrete solutions and the inability to balance supply and demand have called into question the strategies adopted by the company. While Alpina works on its proposals, the sector continues to suffer, with prices continuing to plummet and growing dissatisfaction among producers. The Colombian
We asked Colombians on the street if, when buying a bag of milk, yogurt, or any dairy product, they were aware that in many cases the product was not even 100% milk, but in several cases it barely reached a content of 20% milk. To which the people consulted stated that they had never imagined a scenario so detrimental to their health and to the peasant economy. But since whey dairy is cheaper, it is not reflected in the final price to the consumer.
The oversupply of raw milk in Bogotá means that its final price also harms the situation even more. Furthermore, the fact that milk consumption in the country has decreased further increases the anguish of dairy producers.
For years we have been denouncing the lack of sufficient strategies from the national government. Milk smuggling, expensive agricultural inputs, lack of follow-up on the purchase of raw milk at too low prices and a final price of the product that is not 100% milk with an exaggerated value.
What Solutions are Needed?
The current situation raises a crucial question: What measures must be taken to save the Colombian dairy sector? It is imperative that both the government and companies in the sector commit to implementing effective and sustainable solutions. Coordinated action is needed to address both the immediate problems and the structural deficiencies that have led to this crisis.
The dairy crisis in Colombia requires urgent attention and a comprehensive strategy to restore stability in the sector. Meanwhile, producers and consumers continue to face the consequences of a crisis that seems to have no end.
From the congress of the republic Wilmer Castellanos highlights that the agro-relief bill is approved, "This is a great step to alleviate the burden of farmers who have credits through the Finagro line in the Pran and Fonsa programs approximately 46,500 small and medium producers, with measures such as:
Forgiveness of current and late interest.
Elimination of legal costs and fees for debtors who have not been able to comply with their obligations.
Suspension of collection and prescription actions.
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