Dairy Committee Report

The decline in the number of dairy farms, dairy cattle and the associated decline in milk production gave much reason for concern about the state of the Dairy Industry in 2009.  The fact is that due to the high capital outlay required to establish dairy farms, it present a barrier to new investors. There is also the problem with milk collection as farms that are isolated have difficulties with collection if volumes are not adequate for delivery to refrigerated milk tankers.

The problem in the sector was recognized by The Jamaica Dairy Development Board and through The Dairy Revitalization Programme loans were made available to assist existing  farmers and to encourage the return of those who left the Dairy Industry. The efforts of The Jamaica Dairy Development Board have marginally improved the situation as some farmers now in milk production are undecided about the future.

In 2009, WINDALCO, the second largest producer of milk, suffered a decline in milk production of 21% which contributed to the national decline of 5% when compared to 2008.  The decline was recorded in spite of a 5.7% increase by the largest producer Serge Island Farms.

The drought in 2009 was one of the worst droughts in recent history which negatively impacted on production which was 13.1 million litres down from the 13.8 million litres produced in 2008.

It is regrettable that despite the efforts of the Breed Societies and the Jamaica Dairy Development Board, production is still trending downwards.

Milk production in 2009 was 13.1 million litres, a 5% reduction, when compared to 13.8 million litres in 2008.