Milk retail prices to remain unchanged

Retail prices of milk will not change even with the expected increase in production during the current long rains.

Livestock Principal Secretary Harry Kimutai says despite increased production, reduced imports from neighboring countries due to the Coronavirus pandemic will stabilize milk prices in the country.

With the current long rains being experienced in many parts of the country the dairy board projects a bumper milk harvest this season.

The government has moved in to assure dairy farmers that there are enough funds to mop up and process excess milk in the country to stabilize milk farm gate prices.

Even with increased production retail milk prices will continue to retail at an average of 50 shillings per half liter due to reduced dairy products imports as Covid-19 pandemic continues to bite.

Livestock PS Kimtai attributed the delay in legalizing and implementing the dairy sector regulations to the Coronavirus pandemic.

He, however, said some of the contentious issues surrounding the selling of raw milk have been ironed out with stakeholders, but maintained that all commercial milk vendors will have to register with the dairy board for safety standards purposes.

Kimutai disputed claims that the regulations among other things prohibited selling of milk of raw milk saying farmers will still be allowed to sell in small quantities.