High Milk Prices Strike Hard at Consumers in Atlántico

The escalating costs of milk have become a major concern for consumers and the agricultural sector alike in Colombia, particularly in the Atlántico region. The price for a pack of six 1,100 milliliter milk containers has soared to 37,000 pesos in some supermarkets. This hike is prompting a notable decrease in milk consumption, especially among lower-income families.

Jorge Rodríguez, Executive Director of Asoganorte, pointed out a significant discrepancy between the price paid to producers and the retail price. "The average price paid to producers is $1,800 per liter, whereas it is sold at $6,800 in major supermarkets," he says, illustrating a gap of nearly four times the producer price.

The impact on lower-income households is considerable, with families in the first and second socioeconomic strata cutting back on milk purchases. This decline in consumption has sparked national concern about the factors at play in the pricing system and the need for initiatives to support both producers and consumers.