MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Booming regional dairy industry will meet in Uruguay to talk expansion plans

Uruguay has the highest per capita milk consumption in the Americas

The Pan-American Milk Federation, Frepale, is scheduled to meet in Uruguay next November 15/17 to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. The federation, the strongest in the region chose Punta del Este for the event because it was here that it was born two decades ago.

“Attendance will be important: all Mercosur member countries will be present plus other South and Central American countries and even Mexico”, said Eduardo Fresco, Frepale’s Secretary General.

“Dairy farming and the milk industry is booming in the region and most countries are involved in plans to stimulate production, and some are even following along the path marked by Uruguay half a century ago”, added Fresco.

“World demand for milk and dairy produce is forecasted to continue sustainedly and if there has been a slight drop it’s because of the European crisis, but once that is over the industry will resume its strong impulse. Many countries in Asia and even some in the Americas are far below the minimum average recommended by multilateral organizations (180 litres)”, said Fresco.

He said that in the Americas Uruguay leads in milk consumption with 242 litres per capita annually, closely followed by Argentina and Costa Rica with 200 litres. In the rest of the continent there’s much space to continue growing.

“Milk consumption indexes have increased significantly according to international standards but many countries are still far behind” and this is because of the socio-economic environment of families plus the indigenous population of the Americas which does not have milk incorporated as staple in their diets.

Fresco said that the country which most has advanced in milk production in the last ten years has been Ecuador, but consumption is still 85 litres per capita per year.

“They still have a long way ahead, but the whole production line from the dairy farms to industry is very enthusiastic with ample support from government” pointed out Fresco.