Several dairies from the area of Tuzla Canton were left without purchasing their products. While fighting for existence, they managed to find a temporary solution, and a permanent one is not on the horizon. None of the authorities in the country even contacted them.
“For two and a half months we manage, we spill something, no one from the dairy will receive us, no one from the ministry contacts us, we have little support from the association. I don’t know what to do”, said Sead Kulanić, a milk producer from Gornji Vukovi, Kalesija municipality.
During this period, they reduced milk production, so they tried to sell 200 liters a day at minimum prices, driving to other cities, in order to spill as little as possible. At the moment, thanks to a private individual, they have a temporary solution, and the future is still uncertain. The family of Saudin Kulanić is in the same situation and had to reduce the quantities.
“150-200 liters per day, since we have reduced it to a minimum, we are fighting to ensure that there is no milk, not more but less, so that we can manage somehow,” said Saudin Kulanić, a milk producer from Gornji Vukovi, Kalesija municipality.
“These are all large family farms that are for expansion. Our children are younger, our sons need to take it over to expand, and they shut us down, shower us. Where are we going to go with the milk? For two and a half months, no one asked us what you are going to do, can you?” explained Sead Kulanić.
Although for now they have the possibility of purchase, a permanent solution is necessary for the salvation and survival of these and many other farms. While the main problem is the excess milk in dairies, producers have been warning for a long time about excessive imports, which directly threaten domestic production and jobs. The association also demanded a reduction in imports, but to no avail.
“1,200 families who live from this business and people who really fill this budget and I don’t see a single moment that these people in this situation do not need help”, warned Eldin Glibanović, president of the Association of Milk Producers TK.
And from the federal association, they warn that the producers are in a hopeless situation, stating that announcements of a reduction in the purchase price can lead to an even more difficult situation. However, as we learn from dairy farmers who do not want to speak publicly, the purchase price has already been reduced for this month.
The question is rightly raised whether and how much the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina really want to save agricultural production? If there is no urgent support, more and more farms could be on the verge of being shut down, farmers warn, he writes BHRT.
