Fresh milk will make a long-awaited return to supermarket shelves this week, as key players in the dairy industry work to resolve supply issues stemming from recent shortages.
However, farmers are expressing concerns about reconstituted milk products on the market warning of potential long-term impacts on both the local dairy sector and consumer.
At a news conference at the Animal Nutrition Centre on Tuesday that included farmers, Lisa Ridley-Paul, people, legal and corporate affairs manager at Banks Holdings Limited, announced that Pine Hill Dairy would be soon distributing fresh milk.
“We are going to be releasing some whole milk today,” said Ridley-Paul.
“Two per cent later on this week is scheduled to go into the trade,” she revealed, confirming that the dairy will distribute over 1 000 cases of fresh milk in the coming days.
The fresh milk shortage has been attributed to a combination of severe climatic conditions and poor cattle genetics, prompting the importation of 180 pregnant heifers last December. These animals have begun calving and producing milk, progressively improving supply levels. Farmers stressed it will take time for the animals to reach maximum production capacity.
Ridley-Paul noted that 2022 was a strong year for milk production but revealed that current output is 26 per cent lower than during that period.
Despite these challenges, the Pine Hill Dairy manager sought to reassure consumers that production remains stable. “We continue to process every hectolitre of milk that we receive,” the company said.
Amid efforts to stabilise supply, dairy farmers have raised alarms over the increasing presence of reconstituted milk in the market. They argue that these products are often misleadingly marketed and could harm both domestic dairy production and consumer understanding of nutritional value.
Patrick Butcher, president of the Barbados Dairy and Beef Association, strongly criticised reconstituted milk products: “We are always concerned when we see reconstituted milk being put on the market, especially when it’s marketed in a way that may mislead consumers.” He emphasised that fresh milk offers superior nutritional benefits compared to its reconstituted counterparts.
“Milk produced from cows provides the daily vitamins and nutrients needed to complement our diets. Reconstituted milk, on the other hand, lacks these benefits and results in nutritional deficiencies,” Butcher explained. He also described the rise of reconstituted products as a form of “false advertising,” warning that it poses a significant threat to local dairy farmers during an already challenging period.
“The introduction of these products during a supply shortage gives consumers the chance to develop a preference for them, which will have lasting effects on local production,” he cautioned.
In response to growing tensions within the industry, Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) Chief Executive Officer James Paul sought to ease fears of conflict by advocating for constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.
“We don’t want public engagement to be seen as controversial,” Paul remarked, calling for discipline within the dairy industry.
Paul also urged consumers to continue supporting farmers, stressing the importance of maintaining investor confidence in the industry. He framed ongoing discussions as an opportunity for collaboration rather than division.
“This isn’t a confrontation,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for all involved to work towards a sustainable and prosperous future for the local dairy industry.”
Butcher further highlighted key challenges in milk production, including the need for improved artificial insemination services and better forage quality. He explained that industry partners are working to enhance genetic selection through semen from South American breeds—such as sexed semen—to accelerate herd improvements.
Another pressing issue is forage quality, with low-quality dry grass negatively impacting milk yields. Butcher stressed that a balanced diet is critical for sustaining production: “Cows are ruminants; their diet must primarily consist of grass-based forage to ensure optimal yields.”
(SZB)
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