Morelos Dairy Producers Demand Emergency Support
Dairy producers and processors in Morelos have asked authorities at the federal, state and municipal levels to intervene in what they describe as a prolonged decline in the state’s dairy basin. Representatives of several livestock associations cited limited public-sector support, a shortage of affordable credit and inadequate basic infrastructure. They said hundreds of family-run units face the risk of closing or abandoning production.
Farm profitability has been affected by higher prices for compound feed, forage grains, mineral supplements and veterinary medicines. Producers said the cost of obtaining each litre of milk has risen, while the price paid at the farm gate has remained low. Some operators are working at a loss, while others have sold productive cows for slaughter to meet immediate expenses and repay debts.
Small dairy farms also lack sufficient collection and refrigeration facilities. Morelos has too few community reception points with continuous-cooling tanks and quality-control laboratories, according to the producers. Because raw milk spoils quickly in the state’s warm conditions, informal intermediaries known as coyotes can use their position to set low purchase prices.
The associations also reported competition from ultraprocessed dairy substitutes and cheese analogues made with vegetable fats or reconstituted powders. They said these products are taking retail market share from locally produced dairy goods, including traditional cheeses.
The producers requested immediate programmes to install hygienic milking rooms, provide cooling equipment and train farmers in Good Livestock Practices and herd health. They also called for talks with the state agriculture department, Sedagro, and federal agencies including SADER and Leche para el Bienestar.
Among their proposals is the priority inclusion of Morelos milk in social-supply programmes, community kitchens and school-breakfast schemes run by the DIF system. The requested arrangements would provide a formal outlet for production and timely payment. The representatives further sought an emergency contingency fund to prevent the disappearance of dairy farms and support continued rural employment and artisanal cheese-making in Morelos.
