La milk is a basic product in almost every home Spain. In fact, it is within the category of "first need". However, the dairy cattle farmers of our country that make it possible are in a critical situation. To alleviate the economic pressure suffered by the sector, the supermarket chain Lidl has launched a pioneering project. If you want to know what it is...Keep reading!
What about the milk?
According to the report "La le is as a health vehicle for the population« by the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN) This dairy product has an "excellent nutritional density" thanks to its high content of proteins y basic fatty acids. Although over the years dairy consumption has fallen Spain, that of milk has experienced growth. The problem is that the price that consumers pay for milk remains the same as it does 27 years.
Who is guilty? Mainly, the industry and distribution They are the ones who suffocate the livestock farms. The reason is that the price per liter of milk received by the farmer is lower than the price it costs to produce it. The figures are very clear. The average cost of production is approx. 0,39 euros/liter while the price received by the farmer is 0,33 euro/litre. Depending on the case of each farm, it loses around 3 or 5 cents for each liter of milk. This prolonged situation over time has caused the disappearance of many livestock companies.
Farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to produce the product, but the selling price remains the same. It is an untenable situation. Only a month ago it entered into force with its publication in the Official State Bulletin (BOE) la law 16/2021, of December 14, by which the Law 12/2013, of 2 of August, measures to improve the functioning of the food chain. Its goal is to achieve a fair price for all links in the food chain. Thus, an operator cannot pay the immediately preceding operator a price equal to or greater than the cost of production.
Lidl's pioneering dairy project in Spain
La German supermarket chain has carried out a initiative to help dairy farmers Andalusia. Here we tell you what it consists of. Lidl It has signed an agreement with Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) y Coordinator of Farmers and Livestock Organizations (COAG) to market fresh milk kilometer 0 «Cowboys of the South». The product will be for sale exclusively in its more than 120 establishments distributed throughout the community.
There are more than one hundred family farms that are part of this project. In fact, they account for around 25% of all Andalusian farms. United under the Granada cooperative Alba Ranchers will produce milk "Cowboys of the South". Thanks to the proximity we talk about a dairy kilometer 0 which means that the product will travel less than 100 km to get to your table. Thus, a set minimal price for the professional.
We continue to seek solutions that benefit all actors in the supply chain. We intend to extend this type of agreement to other regions of Spain and encourage other distributors to adopt similar solutions. General Director of Purchasing of Lidl in Spain, Miguel paradela
INTERVIEW – Javier Pleguezuelo Manager of the Los Filabres cooperative
LOS VAQUEROS DEL SUR milk, which from today will be on the shelves of the German chain LIDL, which has opted for fresh and quality milk.
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— AgroDifusion News (@agrodifusion) January 12, 2022
A sustainable project
The initiative is sustainable financing model in various senses. From the social point of view, it promotes local production. In economic terms, by setting a minimum price per liter of milk, guarantees the economic and financial sustainability of livestock families and, therefore, avoids the closure of farms. And, in addition, it contributes to the conservation of the environment since, being a product kilometer 0 The whole process takes place in Andalusia.
How does consumers what can we do? When we go to the supermarket, instead of looking for the cheapest milk, we should take something that, at least, costs 0,80 euro per litre. This is the current fair price taking into account the production costs of farmers, which have risen a 35% in the last year. And you, What do you think about this situation?
