The milk production in Sri Lanka has reached highest quantity so far under the livestock and dairy development programmes of the Government.

“The milk production has increased year by year as a result of several programmes launched by the National Livestock Development Board. This includes breeding of cattle with high milk output, in order to make the country self-sufficient in livestock and dairy products.

The total annual cow and buffalo milk production was 177,089,045 litres in 1998. It reached 208,093,090 litres by 2008”, said the National Livestock Development Board Chairman Dr. Chandrawansa Pathiraja.

The annual cow and buffalo milk production marked the highest ever during 2005 to 2008. In 2005 the production was 192,741,600 litres and increased gradually to reach 208,093,200 litres by 2008 which was an increase of 6 084 000 litres from 2007 when the production was at 202,009,200 litres.

The local production of powdered milk was 7.24 MT in 2007 with an import of 61.60 MT of milk powder the same year. The local production of condensed milk was 5.00 MT in 2007. 0.42 MT of condensed milk was imported in that year, the annual reports on milk production said.

The local production of fresh milk also increased during the period of 2004 - 2007. Total fresh milk production increased 160.72, 162.79, 166.07, and 170.61 MT respectively in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The production was only 157.78 in 2003.

Local dairy products such as yoghurt, cheese, ice cream etc. has increased an excess of imports. 2.89 MT of dairy products was produced in the country in 2007 while only 0.05 MT of dairy products were imported same year, the reports added.