Surplus production of Aavin milk has resulted in an increased production of its value-added products too. Dairy products of Aavin, especially ghee, saw an upsurge in production. Six and half tonnes of ghee was produced and sold last month here. The upcoming Pongal festival would certainly create a greater demand for ghee and a sale of ten tonnes could be achieved ahead of the harvest festival, reliable sources from Aavin, Tirunelveli told The Hindu on Tuesday.
Prior to the drop in milk production before September last year, ghee was procured from Salem and Erode to meet the consumer demand in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts. But, the lush growth of cattle fodder following bountiful rains during the Northeast monsoon in these districts improved the milk yield, considerably. Besides, production of sweets including mysurpa, milk cake and milk peda also saw an upward trend. Production crossed one tonne against its average of 70 to 80 kilograms.
The remaining surplus milk would be converted into skimmed milk powder and butter. After a dip in production during the last quarter of 2014 that led to the fall of sales, Aavin is regaining its market share.
Milk production has increased considerably in the flush season. So there is a rise in milk procurement to 66,000 litres in recent days from 38,000 litres during October last. Subsequently, sale has also picked up. About 38,000 litres of milk was sold everyday in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts until the first week of November, while there was a boost in sales to 41,800 litres a day in January. However, officials were confident of the sale crossing 44,000 litres after Pongal.
Aavin’s milk procurement across the State swelled up to 26 lakh litres in December from 19 lakh litres in November. To upgrade Aavin’s milk processing plant, a proposal for Rs.1.5 crore had been forwarded to the government under NADP scheme for 2015-16, sources added.
Some Aavin milk vending agents here said acute scarcity of milk during September, October and November and price hike effected by the State government created a slump in Aavin’s retail sales which normally stood at 47,000 to 48,000 litres daily in these two neighbouring districts.
