Media reports that French dairy colossus Lactalis is doubling down its involvement in India’s dairy sector has enthused GCMMF-the biggest domestic player in the country. It would spur competition and would usher in an era of latest technologies, said Mr R S Sodhi, the MD of dairy major Amul.
In Sodhi’s words” We welcome more large and responsible organized players in Indian dairy field as it will improve prices being paid to milk producers”.
After taking over south India’s second-largest dairy company Tirumala Milk, the French outfit has agreed to buy out Indore-based Anik Industries. A knowledgeable source is quoted saying Lactalis has asked an agency to scout for potential target companies with strong presence in the north Indian market.
Sodhi’s main concern is that foreign dairy majors should buy directly from Indian farmers and should not depend on import.
Sodhi said “we also have to ensure that these players buy milk from Indian farmers directly and do not resort for cheap imports from other countries which will damage Indian dairy industry and our self sufficiency and supremacy.”
In the fiscal 2015-16, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that owns Amul has done a business turnover of Rs 23,000 crore. The milk cooperative would net itself a sales turnover of Rs. 30,000 crore by 2017-18, claimed Sodhi.
Amul’s turnover has been growing over 20 percent since the last six years due to higher milk procurement, continuous expansion in terms of adding new markets, launching of new products and adding new milk processing capacities across India” he said.