GCMMF records 13.4 pc growth

Anand, June 15 (UNI) The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) has registered a 13.4 per cent growth and recorded a turnover of Rs 4,277.84 crore during the financial year 2006-07.

Disclosing this at the 33rd AGM held here yesterday, GCMMF Chairman Parthibhai G Bhatol said this was extremely impressive growth when viewed against the ban on exports of skimmed milk powder and the massive loss suffered by farmers due to floods during the monsoon season specially in Surat district.

GCMMF, the apex marketing federation of 13 district milk unions of Gujarat having a membership of 26 lakh milk producers, has done remarkably well in most of the value added products. Sales of Amul milk in pouches have grown by 40 per cent in value terms, Mr Bhatol said.

Similarly, Amul and Sagar brand ghee sales has risen by 28 per cent, UHT milk by 25 per cent and Amul Kool Cafe (flavoured milk) by 55 per cent.

Ban on exports adversely affected the export performance of GCMMF. During the year, the export turnover decreased from Rs 134 crore during 2005-06 to Rs 60 crore this year. Since the ban in February this year, the international skim milk power (SMP) prices have risen from USD 3,000 per MT to USD 5,000 per MT.

He said the move to ban exports is harming the country as the prevailing international prices are better than the current domestic prices.

UNI