Dairy sales plunge as curbs on gatherings during functions hits demand
ALL BUSINESSES HAVE SUFFERED DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC, BUT THE DEMAND FOR MILK PRODUCTS HAS FALLEN SHARPLY IN THE MARKET
SANGRUR: Harpreet Singh, a Barnala-based milkman, received a call from a dairy owner on Saturday evening informing him that due to curfew imposition, sale had been low and the 40 litre order he had been given was being cancelled. Such has been the impact of covid-19 pandemic and its resultant changes in lifestyle and businesses.
All business have suffered, but the demand for dairy products has sharply fallen in the market.
The major contributor to the fall in demand is the ban on gatherings in marriages, bhog ceremonies and other social functions in the state since the outbreak of the covid-19. This has virtually pushed dairy farmers, milkmen, hotels and restaurants out of business.
Dairy farmers and milkmen claim that the production of milk will touch its seasonal increase in September, even as the demand for khoya, cheese, ghee and butter has fallen around 70%. “Currently, milk is selling at Rs 610 per kilo fat, which is usually Rs 715 during this season of the year. Neither are milkmen satisfied nor are dairy farmers happy with these prices,” added Harpreet.
Gurpal Singh, 27, a dairy farmer from Namol village of Sangrur district, who started a dairy farm by investing Rs 30 lakh four years back, said the business is facing ‘depression’ due to the pandemic and lockdown.
“I sell milk to a private company. The milk prices are between Rs 30 and Rs 31 per litre. I have to spend more money on cleanliness and other precautions amid covid-19. This has increased my cost of production,” said Gurpal.
Gurpal owns 54 cattle, of which 22 cows are for sale. However, due to the ban on the
Pashu Mandi (cattle market), he could not sell these cows. “A number of cows are expected to deliver calves next month, but I have limited space in the cattle farm,” he added.
Sukhminder Singh, who has been running a dairy business for the past 40 years, and a hotel for 20 years in Sangrur town said it had been ages when he sold 400 sweet boxes for distribution of wedding invites.
“The sale of sweets and cheese is very low. In winters, private factories purchase milk, but many factories were closed during lockdown. These are still shut,” he added.
Punjab Dairy Development Board deputy director for Sangrur and Barnala districts, Jaswinder Singh, said private milk plants are preparing to open this winter season and trade will see an uptick after these start functioning.