The Association of Agricultural Producers of Republika Srpska supported colleagues from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the President of the UPP FBiH Assembly, Ermin Veladžić, who warned that domestic milk production cannot be surplus, but that the market is collapsing due to uncontrolled imports and fast earnings of individuals.
“There cannot be an excess of domestic production of milk and milk products, but uncontrolled imports and the greed for quick profits are disrupting the milk market,” it is stated in a statement addressed to the media.
Imports flooded the market
According to the manufacturer’s data, last year in Bosnia and Herzegovina, approx 270 million liters of milkwhile additional 20 percent produced and consumed within households. Overall, domestic producers cover only about 55 percent of market needs.
On the other hand, according to the data of the Indirect Tax Administration, in the first ten months of this year, milk and milk products worth 215 million KM were importedfrom which more than 113 million KM refers to cheeses.
“If we consider that Bosnia and Herzegovina has about 3.2 million inhabitants and an average consumption of about 200 liters per person per year, it is clear that we need almost 640 million liters of milk. Therefore, there is no surplus – there are only weak import controls,” the producers warn.
Palm oil instead of milk
Along with unfair imports, local farmers are increasingly warning about their presence “fake” dairy products on the shelves, which contain palm oil and other vegetable fatsbut are still sold as dairy products.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet regulated the labeling of products containing fats that are not of dairy origin. Our children in schools and people in canteens are eating products that look more like chemistry than cheese,” the statement said.
As an example of good practice, they cite Serbia, which recently adopted Regulation on additional requirements for placing on the market products containing palm oil and vegetable fats. After its introduction, the demand for such products has halved, because consumers can now clearly see what they are buying.
“In our country, however, there are numerous vegetable cheeses in cans, such as feta, which create a mess on the market with their low prices. These products are mainly imported and threaten domestic producers,” say farmers.
Urgent reaction of institutions is required
The association suggests that a similar regulation as in Serbia be adopted urgently in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to protect domestic production and the health of consumers.
“Our processors are not involved in the production of fake cheeses. They stick to quality and deserve the support of the state,” he pointed out. Milorad Arsenicpresident of the Association.
At the same time, he also appealed to the large retail chains entering BiH. market so that their business does not collapse domestic agriculture.
“Don’t get rich through our hump. Let’s buy local – every liter of local milk means support for our peasants, our families and our future,” said Arsenić, reports NOISE.
