Concerns Rise Over Potential Decline in Local Milk Production in Puerto Rico

Potential Decline in Puerto Rican Milk Production Sparks Concerns

In Puerto Rico, the dairy sector of the Farmers Association has expressed significant worries regarding the potential continuation of decreasing local milk production. This comes in light of recent challenges, prominently led by fears of an avian flu outbreak.

Impacted Factors

Camilo Román, president of the dairy sector in the organization, has indicated to El Vocero that they are expecting a decline of approximately 8% in the production of fresh milk compared to 2024. This reduction translates to an overall forecast of producing 167 million quarts, which is 15.5 million fewer than the previous year.

Several factors are contributing to this downturn, including import restrictions on cattle to Puerto Rico due to avian flu fears, which has driven cattle prices up to between $4,000 and $5,000 per cow. Additionally, extreme heat affecting cattle during multiple months further exacerbates the situation, reducing milk output. There is also a growing trend among consumers to explore alternatives to traditional milk products, such as cheese and yogurt.