MILK PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION TRENDS IN EASTERN CAPE COMMUNITIES.

The production and consumption of milk in the communal areas of the Eastern Cape Province is largely unknown. Although production is expected to be modest, there should be potential in the sector for purposes of household and commercial milk production. Consumption trends in these communities, with a population size of roughly 4 million people, may influence general milk consumption trends in the country. The aim of the study by the authors referenced below was to collect baseline information which could inform future research. 

A survey on production and consumption of milk was done in five districts of the Eastern Cape Province during 2014 and 2015. A total of 500 milk producing and consuming households were targeted, comprising five villages per district (5 districts) and 20 households per village. All households that produced also consumed milk whereas others only consumed.

The livestock species preferred for milk production was cattle (43%), goats (32%) and sheep (29%), whereas the others had no preference. The total daily milk production per household was on average 2 to 5, 0 to 1 and 0 to 1 litre for cattle, goats and sheep respectively. The total monthly unpasteurized milk consumption per household was 2 to 5 litres for each of the species. Pasteurized cattle milk was found to be the most regularly consumed and the preferred milk product at an average of 4.8 litres followed by 2 to 5 litres of sour and 0.5 to 1 kg of powder milk per household per month. The price ranges for milk and milk products were respectively R8.50 to R9.50; R7.50 to R8.50; R11.50 to R12.50 per litre for fresh, sour and pasteurized milk and R33.00 to R35 per kg of powder milk.

Reference:

J.M. Rust, K.T. Kumbirai, M.N. Mkhungela, 2019. Milk production and consumption statistics for communal households within the developing agricultural sector of the Eastern Cape Province. In Proc. of the SALHC, 2-5 June 2019, Port Elizabeth.