Urgency to Increase Milk Production to Curb Imports in Mexico
Source: dairynews.today
Canilec urges the nation to boost milk production to reduce dependency on imports and meet the goals of Plan Mexico.
Canilec, the National Chamber of Milk Industry, highlighted the urgency for Mexico to augment its milk production to lessen imports and accomplish the objectives outlined in Plan Mexico. Currently, about 30% of the milk required by the food industry is imported, due to insufficient domestic supply, explained Ricardo Villavicencio, president of Canilec.
He emphasized the necessity to fortify the supply chain, beginning with supporting the primary sector through public policies and industry collaborations.
"We import raw materials exclusively to add value here in Mexico," Villavicencio noted, stressing that only whole or skimmed milk powder is imported. By increasing local production to 15 billion liters from the current 13.3 billion annually, it's feasible for the industry to cut imports by approximately 1.5 billion liters.
Mexico imports around $3.25 billion in dairy products each year while exporting $850 million, resulting in a $2.4 billion trade deficit. Strengthening the domestic production chain is a pivotal challenge, as 97% of producers are small to medium-sized ranchers. Villavicencio called for a collaborative effort between industry segments, government, and citizens to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production.
He emphasized the necessity to fortify the supply chain, beginning with supporting the primary sector through public policies and industry collaborations.
"We import raw materials exclusively to add value here in Mexico," Villavicencio noted, stressing that only whole or skimmed milk powder is imported. By increasing local production to 15 billion liters from the current 13.3 billion annually, it's feasible for the industry to cut imports by approximately 1.5 billion liters.
Mexico imports around $3.25 billion in dairy products each year while exporting $850 million, resulting in a $2.4 billion trade deficit. Strengthening the domestic production chain is a pivotal challenge, as 97% of producers are small to medium-sized ranchers. Villavicencio called for a collaborative effort between industry segments, government, and citizens to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production.
