Butter is one of the most frequent products in the family basket, which has been experiencing shortages in the last part of the first half of 2024. This situation is directly due to a chain of problems in milk production and the decrease in consumption. of dairy.
Ana María Gómez, representative of the Colombian Association of Milk Processors, Asoleche, explained in the middle of an interview in Teleantioquia that “butter is made from the cream of milk. To the extent that dairy consumption, in general, has decreased, the availability of heavy cream. And, therefore, less butter is processed.”
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According to Asoleche, the market has noticed a decrease in the availability of butter, as it is due to the fact that, since February, the most important processors in the country, Alpina and Alquería reduced the volume of milk purchased from producers by 15%; Furthermore, it should be added that the price paid for milk fell by 12.2%.
This measure, according to information from the National Association of Milk Producers, Analac, further deteriorated the situation of producers, who were already facing a crisis due to the drop in prices and high costs derived from the El Niño phenomenon.
Another obstacle that this problem generates is the lack of milk cream, derived from the decrease in the production and consumption of dairy products., thus reducing the availability of raw materials for the manufacture of butter. This phenomenon, linked mainly to the low milk production caused by the El Niño phenomenon, has affected the availability of raw materials necessary for the manufacture of this ingredient.
Therefore, producers prefer to save the input as milk powder, which is not useful for making butter.
Analac pointed out that The reduction in the purchase of milk by processors has aggravated a crisis that producers have been facing for more than 14 months. But this would not only harm farmers who have assumed additional costs to maintain their production, but it would also impact the prices they receive and, consequently, their income and jobs.
“Coherence in prices throughout the chain is important for the country’s food and nutritional security, as well as to strengthen the recovery of dairy consumption,” highlights the dairy union.
Furthermore, despite the reduction in milk purchases, factory and consumer prices do not show a corresponding reaction, encouraging informality in the sector and slowing down productive development. The price imbalance generated an urgent call from Analac for better coordination of the dairy chain, in order to protect more than 320,000 families. that depend on milk production.
It should be noted that, in the past, crises of this type have occurred that have put small and large producers in trouble, which is why, on several occasions, climatic and economic factors have led to similar situations. This situation not only affects businesses, but also consumers, who see these increases reflected in the final price of the products.
Meanwhile, the industry is faced with the task of finding solutions to mitigate the effects of this recurring crisis and ensure the sustainability of its operations. The search for alternatives and adaptation to these fluctuations will be crucial so that bakers and pastry chefs can continue to offer quality products to their customers. and remain in a sector that has been their livelihood.
