Milk imports in Brazil surged by nearly 43% in May, reaching 209 million liters, with Argentina and Uruguay being the main sources.
Total foreign purchases for the year reached 878 million liters, more than double the volume compared to the first five months of the previous year.
These figures, reported in the June edition of the Milk Bulletin by the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (Cepea) at the University of São Paulo, are causing apprehension among domestic milk producers.
The growing imports, encompassing various dairy products such as cheese, butter, whey, and milk powder, are raising concerns about a potential disruption in the internal market.
Organizations, like the Association of Breeders of Holstein Cattle of Rio Grande do Sul (Gadolando), have expressed worries about the increasing imports leading to an imbalance in the domestic market.
The combination of low national milk production and high prices adds to the concerns of Brazilian producers.
The reliance on foreign sources to meet the demand for dairy products creates uncertainties within the industry.
The rising trend in milk imports is a significant issue for Brazilian producers, as they strive to maintain a stable and competitive market while ensuring the sustainability of their operations.
The industry will need to closely monitor the situation and explore strategies to support local production and mitigate the challenges of increased imports.