Goa Dairy recommences packaging of cow milk, but resumption of full cream milk still delayed

PONDA: Goa Dairy has finally resumed packaging of one of the two variants it had halted following discontinuation of milk procurement from other states. However, full cream milk is still out of the dairy's reach.
Reeling under a severe shortage of milk after procurement from Karnataka was discontinued, the Goa State Cooperative Milk Union had stopped production of two variants - full cream milk and cow milk.
Of the four, Goa Dairy had been marketing only two variants - the standardised milk 'Shakti' and toned milk under the brand name 'Cold Gold' - in Goan retail market.
Goa Dairy chairman Rajesh K Faldessai said that they have resumed procurement of cow milk from Karnataka, and hence packaging of the cow milk variant resumed from Tuesday. However, resumption of full cream milk variant could be delayed further as no supplier has agreed to the rates sought by the dairy.
"We had recently invited tenders to supply milk. We had received five tenders wishing to supply raw cow milk, and two tenders for full cream - buffalo milk. But the suppliers want the rates fixed at Rs 59.5 and Rs 60. It is not feasible to accept the tenders since the dairy sells the full cream milk at Rs 65," he said.
The tender was floated on August 1, and it would be valid only for three months. Goa Dairy managing director Parag Nagarsekar said the tenders have been opened last Saturday, and the suppliers will be finalised on Monday.
A meeting of the board of directors will be held to finalise the suppliers. The dairy has invited tenders for buffalo milk with 6% Fat and 9% SNF, and cow milk with 4% Fat and 8.5% SNF, he said.