Last Updated : 03 November 2009 at 21:50 IST

'Only organic milk can put India on the global map'

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AHMEDABAD (Commodity Online): India, despite being the largest producer of milk is unable to export because of quality issues and the fact that it doesn't producer milk that is certified as organic.. According to Selvam Daniel, Managing, Director Ecocert India, only organic milk could put India on the global dairy export map.

ECOCERT is organizing a national convention on organic milk and milk products at The Gateway Hotel Ummed Ahmedabad on November 14, 2009. Several eminent organic dairy and food experts will speak on the opportunities and challenges facing the India dairy industry at the convention. “India exports little milk though it is the largest global producer of milk (125 million tons of milk annually),” said Dr Daniel. “This is primarily because of quality issues.”

“Only organic milk will address concerns of Indian citizens regarding the quality of milk they have been consuming,” said Dr Daniel. “Global consumption of organic milk has been increasing 20% annually in view of its well-documented health benefits. In contrast, the overall milk consumption has been falling by 10% annually (693 million tonnes in 2008).”

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Wal-Mart is the biggest seller of certified organic milk, followed by USA’s Horizon Organic and France’s Groupe Danone. In fact, the European Union nations as well as Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan and Canada all have banned the use and imports of hormonal milk and dairy products considering the cancer-causing ingredients in such milk.

“In view of the consumer’s increasing concerns about milk adulteration, there is a huge demand for organic milk in India,” said Dr Daniel. “According to a study done by International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture and reputed marketing research and agribusiness consultancy genus a.b., milk is among top 10 organic foods categories in demand in India.” The market potential for milk and milk products in India was estimated at Rs? 170 crore –? about one-fifth of the Rs 2300 crore organic food production.

Danish scientists have said that organic milk contains more vitamin E and beta carotene. British research bodies have confirmed the presence of higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids in organic milk.

ECOCERT is a certification agency for organic, fair trade and good agricultural practices (GAP) standards. Ecocert is a family of companies with our presence in all the continents. Our Principal Office is at L’Isle, Jourdain, France and our Managing Office is at Northeim, Germany. (Courtesy: IndiaPRWire)