Crisis in Coolechera Leads to Increased Informal Dairy Market in Caribbean Colombia

The crisis faced by Coolechera, a major dairy cooperative in Colombia, has resulted in a substantial reduction in the formal collection of milk. This situation has forced many small and medium-sized dairy farmers in the Caribbean region to turn to informal markets for selling their products.

The shift towards informal markets has been driven by the inability of Coolechera to maintain its milk collection operations at previous levels. As a result, farmers have had to find alternative ways to sell their milk, often at lower prices. This change has impacted not only the livelihoods of these farmers but also the overall sustainability of the dairy industry in the region.

The informal dairy market in the Caribbean has grown as farmers seek to offset the losses incurred due to the formal market's decline. This growth, however, raises concerns about the regulatory oversight and quality control of products being sold outside the formal channels.

According to reports, the price fluctuations in these informal markets have made it difficult for farmers to plan and sustain their operations. The lack of a stable market for their products has added to the uncertainty faced by these farmers, affecting their long-term viability.

The crisis in Coolechera highlights the vulnerability of dairy farmers to changes in the formal market structure and the need for effective solutions to support them in times of economic hardship.