Govt may review ban on milk export

NEW DELHI: Government is likely to review soon the ban imposed on milk exports in February this year, with improved availability of milk and inflation coming under control.

The Commerce Ministry has already notified allowing 1,000 tons of milk export to Bangladesh following a request from the flood-hit neighbouring country.

"With inflation coming under control and improved milk availabilty, the ban may be fully or partially lifted. The review is expected by end of the month," an official of a milk cooperative said.

Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, which owns the popular Amul brand, produces two lakh tons of skimmed milk powder every year. Of this, it used to export around 15,000 tons to countries such as Bangladesh, the Philippines, Malaysia and West Asian countries.

According to sources in the milk cooperative, if the export ban continues, the country would see a glut with prices coming down by as much as Rs 2 a litre.

India produces 100 million tons of milk annually.

Earlier, various milk cooperatives, led by Amul, had made presentations to the Prime Minister's Office and Commerce and Agriculture Ministries seeking lifting of the ban.