Got Milk? Milk producers strive for higher consumption

Falling farmgate prices of milk, a persistent problem in the sector, could be eased by boosting milk consumption, head of the Slovak Association of Primary Producers of Milk (SZPM) Margita Štefániková told TASR. The drop in farmgate milk prices continued in July, as the price shrank by 3.2 percent to €27 per 100 kilograms of raw milk. According to Štefániková, the low level of milk consumption is common knowledge. "It's only at 158.5 kilograms of milk per person a year. Compared to the EU average of 270 kilograms or the World Health Organization's recommendations of 220 kilograms, then it must be recognised that we're lagging behind advanced countries", said Štefániková. "Speaking of which, I'd like to direct an appeal to Slovak consumers, as they have the power to aid our sector. The decision whether to buy a Slovak or foreign dairy product is theirs", she added.