Amul hopeful for removal of export ban on milk powder

Following the union government's decision to allow exports of casein, a value-added milk product, under licence, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), owner of brand Amul, is hopeful of similar relief in export of milk powder. "This is a welcome move by the union government. We have been demanding it since long," said, RS Sodhi, managing director, GCMMF.

"Along with lifting ban on caesin we have also been demanding similar relief for milk powder. Yesterday's decision of the union government was in positive direction. We hope that ban on export of milk powder will also be removed soon," he said.

"Lift ban on milk powder export will boost market sentiments," Sodhi said, adding that huge stock of milk powder was ready for export in dairies of North India. He however, cautioned that export of caesin in the international market would not be easy, but relaxation in exports by the government would definitely raise market sentiments in India.

Yesterday, the central government had taken a decision to move export of casein and casein products from the ‘prohibited’ to ‘restricted’ category. Export of casein has now been permitted under licence.

The government had banned exports of casein and milk powder in February last year, following a fall in the domestic supply of milk.

The country had exported milk powder and casein worth Rs 500 crore in the 2009-10 financial year. The main markets for the products are Japan and Europe.

India, the world’s largest milk producer, currently has an annual milk production of about 121.8 million tonnes.