Nestlé collects 62 million litres of local fresh milk in 2013, its highest-ever collection to date
View(s):Nestlé Lanka PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest private sector buyer of fresh milk, said this week it had bought its highest ever collection in a year of 62 million litres of local milk in 2013, up 15 per cent growth from 2012.
Currently procuring an average of 170,000 litres of fresh milk daily from 18,000 Sri Lankan farmers, the company has played an active role in developing the local dairy sector since the early 1980’s, working closely with the local government and farmers over the years to help increase local fresh milk production and help make Sri Lanka become self-sufficient in fresh milk, according to a company statement.
Recently Nestlé opened a fresh milk chilling centre in Pudukuduirippu, Mullaitivu in the presence of Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody, Executive Vice President of Nestlé S.A. and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East – Nandu Nandkishore, Regional Market Head for Nestlé South Asia – Etienne Benet and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka – Ganesan Ampalavanar.
“I’m happy to note that in line with the Mahinda Chinthana Development Policy Framework the company is now utilising 100 per cent Sri Lankan fresh milk for its Nespray milk powder and other dairy based products,” Mr. Weerakkody was quoted as saying.
Mr. Ampalavanar said the company has made intense and determined efforts to procure maximum quantities of fresh milk from the North and East to help develop these areas.
“We have established a milk collection network in the regions, made up of collection points to provide farmers living in distant, rural areas easy access to sell their milk and milk chilling centres to help farmers keep their milk fresh. These milk collection points are run by members of the local community rather than the company and provide another source of income generation for the area. We remain committed to sourcing locally as much as possible and to continue providing local consumers with access to nutritious food and beverages of the highest quality,” he said.