Latest news with #milkproduction
Zawya
19 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria imports Danish cattle to double milk output, cut $1.5bln import bill
Nigeria has begun importing dairy cattle from Denmark as part of an ambitious plan to double its milk production over the next five years and reduce the country's heavy reliance on dairy imports, which currently cost $1.5bn annually, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha announced. Despite having one of Africa's largest cattle populations, Nigeria produces only 700,000 tonnes of milk annually — less than half of its 1.6 million-tonne demand. As a result, around 60% of the country's dairy needs are met through imports. "Our goal is ambitious but achievable," says Maiha. 'We aim to double Nigeria's milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years." New breeds and improved genetics Maiha attributed the current production gap to the country's predominance of low-yield, pastoralist cattle breeds. A local Nigerian farm has already imported more than 200 high-yield heifers from Denmark, with plans to expand through intensive breeding programmes. In a further move to modernise the sector, eight new pasture species — the first in nearly five decades — have been registered, while a national strategy for animal genetic resources has been rolled out in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Building from a strong livestock base 'With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero — we are building from strength,' Maiha emphasised.
Reuters
02-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Nigeria imports Danish cows in bid to slash $1.5 billion milk import bill
ABUJA, June 2 (Reuters) - Nigeria is importing dairy cattle from Denmark as it aims to double its milk output within five years, part of a plan to cut dairy imports that cost the country $1.5 billion a year, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha said on Monday. Despite boasting one of Africa's largest cattle populations, Nigeria's milk output of 700,000 tonnes a year lags its annual consumption of 1.6 million tonnes. This shortfall means the country imports around 60% of its milk. "Our goal is ambitious but achievable; to double Nigeria's milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years," he said. Maiha said Nigeria's cattle population, exceeding 20 million, consists largely of low-yield pastoralist breeds. A Nigerian farm has already imported over 200 heifers from Denmark, building its herd through intensive breeding, Maiha said. So far, eight new pasture species have been registered, the first in 48 years, and a national strategy for animal genetic resources with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization has been launched, he said. "With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero, we are building from strength," Maiha said.
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
India's dairy sector pushes for safeguards in US trade talks
India, the world's largest milk producer, must protect millions of small dairy farmers in its trade talks with the United States to avoid market disruption from any surge in U.S. imports, industry officials said. India is negotiating a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with the United States after Washington imposed reciprocal tariffs including a 26% duty on Indian goods, later paused for 90 days. The United States, whose dairy exports reached $8.22 billion last year, is pushing for greater access to India's dairy market, which remains shielded by high import duties and non-tariff barriers. "It is necessary that we do not give them very cheap access to our markets," said Jayen Mehta, managing director of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), which owns Amul, a household name and the country's largest dairy brand. "They are intended to dump their surplus in our country, which we cannot afford," Mehta said. The average herd size in India is only two to three animals per farmer, compared to hundreds in the United States - a difference that puts small Indian farmers at a disadvantage, industry officials say. India's dairy sector feeds more than 1.4 billion people and provides livelihoods to 80 million farmers, making it critical that trade negotiations do not harm milk producers, most of whom are rural poor, Mehta said. India accounts for nearly a quarter of global milk production, with output reaching 239 million metric tons, more than double U.S. output of around 103 million tons. The Indian dairy industry is valued at $16.8 billion. New Delhi has previously excluded the dairy sector from bilateral trade agreements and will continue to protect it, as the government recognises its role in supporting small farmers, said R.S. Sodhi, president of the Indian Dairy Association. The country's dairy industry should also be protected due to cultural and dietary considerations, as cattle in the United States are often fed feed containing animal by-products, which does not align with Indian consumer preferences, Sodhi said. A senior official at the federal trade ministry said India is resisting pressure from the United States to open its dairy sector in the current bilateral trade talks. India will not surrender under any circumstances, and the dairy sector will continue to enjoy protection, said the official, who did not wish to be named since the deliberations were not public. Dairy farmers say they need government protection. "The government needs to make sure we're not hit by cheap imports from other countries," said farmer Mahesh Sakunde from the western state of Maharashtra. "If that happens, the whole industry will suffer, and so will farmers like us." (Reporting by Amit Dave and Rajendra Jadhav; additional reporting by Manoj Kumar; editing by Mayank Bhardwaj and Jan Harvey)
Reuters
26-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
India's dairy sector pushes for safeguards in US trade talks
MUMBAI, May 26 (Reuters) - India, the world's largest milk producer, must protect millions of small dairy farmers in its trade talks with the United States to avoid market disruption from any surge in U.S. imports, industry officials said. India is negotiating a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with the United States after Washington imposed reciprocal tariffs including a 26% duty on Indian goods, later paused for 90 days. The United States, whose dairy exports reached $8.22 billion last year, is pushing for greater access to India's dairy market, which remains shielded by high import duties and non-tariff barriers. "It is necessary that we do not give them very cheap access to our markets," said Jayen Mehta, managing director of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), which owns Amul, a household name and the country's largest dairy brand. "They are intended to dump their surplus in our country, which we cannot afford," Mehta said. The average herd size in India is only two to three animals per farmer, compared to hundreds in the United States - a difference that puts small Indian farmers at a disadvantage, industry officials say. India's dairy sector feeds more than 1.4 billion people and provides livelihoods to 80 million farmers, making it critical that trade negotiations do not harm milk producers, most of whom are rural poor, Mehta said. India accounts for nearly a quarter of global milk production, with output reaching 239 million metric tons, more than double U.S. output of around 103 million tons. The Indian dairy industry is valued at $16.8 billion. New Delhi has previously excluded the dairy sector from bilateral trade agreements and will continue to protect it, as the government recognises its role in supporting small farmers, said R.S. Sodhi, president of the Indian Dairy Association. The country's dairy industry should also be protected due to cultural and dietary considerations, as cattle in the United States are often fed feed containing animal by-products, which does not align with Indian consumer preferences, Sodhi said. A senior official at the federal trade ministry said India is resisting pressure from the United States to open its dairy sector in the current bilateral trade talks. India will not surrender under any circumstances, and the dairy sector will continue to enjoy protection, said the official, who did not wish to be named since the deliberations were not public. Dairy farmers say they need government protection. "The government needs to make sure we're not hit by cheap imports from other countries," said farmer Mahesh Sakunde from the western state of Maharashtra. "If that happens, the whole industry will suffer, and so will farmers like us."
