Dairy Farmers in Aguascalientes Urge Liconsa to Expand Milk Purchases

Dairy farmers in Aguascalientes have requested that Liconsa, a state-owned company, expand its quota for purchasing raw milk. This request is aimed at absorbing the national production and averting an oversupply crisis in the market. The Local Specialized Dairy Production Cattle Association (AGLEP) is leading this initiative to secure the placement of national production within a social supply program crucial for internal market stability.

Juan Pablo Franco Díaz, the president of AGLEP, pointed out that while Aguascalientes' dairy production continues to grow due to local farms' efficiency and technological advancements, Liconsa's capacity to purchase fresh milk has remained static. This imbalance has resulted in periods of oversupply, forcing producers to seek alternative sales channels that often offer lower prices than the 'Milk for Welfare' program.

Liconsa serves as a last-resort buyer and price regulator for Mexican dairy farmers, ensuring payments that cover operational costs and maintain production units. Any limitations in its purchasing capacity lead to downward pressure on raw milk prices in the open market, affecting the economic viability of thousands of milk producers.

The dairy sector's strategy includes not only requesting more purchases but also committing to quality. The sector demands that the increase in acquisitions recognizes the high quality and hygiene of the raw milk produced in the region. There is also a push for the Liconsa social program to prioritize national and fresh milk over imported powdered milk, a practice historically criticized, supporting food self-sufficiency and investment in agriculture.