Demand-supply mismatch

Shortage of milk products must be addressed

The crisis in the dairy sector, which has been brewing for over a year due to stagnant milk output and a spurt in the demand for milk products, may come to a head in the coming summer months if timely action is not taken to augment supplies through imports. While the country’s milk output has increased by just around 1 per cent in 2022-23, its requirement has swelled by 8-10 per cent, causing a severe demand-supply mismatch for the first time in over a decade. Consequently, milk prices have soared by about 15 per cent and the availability of products