Fast disappearing milk foods cause panic among consumers

The frequent non-avalibility of milk powder at super markets and smaller stores is creating concern among the public. However, when we visited some leading supermarkets in Colombo the shelves displayed packets of Maliban, Lakspray and Anchor, though supermarket sources said they could not guarantee an uninterrupted supply.

Many consumers told The Sunday Times that since the products they usually buy, Ratthi and Milgro are not available they are faced with no choice but to purchase other brands of milk powder products. They said, unlike supermarkets smaller boutiques are unable to supply milk powder even in smaller quantities.

Laugfs Supermarket, Deputy General Manager T. T. Gunasinghe said they were unable to meet consumers’ demand. “Since this is an essential item people who panic about a scarcity are buying milk powder in large quantities ,” he said. Manager Keells Super, Charitha Subasinghe too said their outlets are unable to meet the demand.

When The Sunday Times contacted officials of some of the local companies they said there was no reduction in their supply Roshan Kulasuriya, Corporate Affairs Director, Fonterra Brands Lanka said although there had been an increase in demand, there had been no change in the supply of their branded milk powder.

According to M. Fowmy, partner- Diamond Best Foods, the production rate of Diamond milk powder had been reduced by 20% due to the increase in the world market prices. “In 2006, the price of a metric tonne was US $ 2200. But in 2007, it had increased to US$ 5000 a tonne. But due to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) regulations we are unable to increase prices,” he said.

Quantity wise, the 400g Diamond milk powder pack which was sold at Rs. 195 has now been reduced to 350g but is being sretailed at the same price. Lal Saranapala, Marketing Director, Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) Ltd, attributed the current shortage of milk powder to the severe drought in the producing countries such as Australia, which has led to an increase in world market prices. However, Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry secretary Dr R. M.K. Rathnayake said that they were not aware of a shortage in milk powder products.