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During a gathering at Sen. Keren Riquelme Cabrera’s office, key figures in Puerto Rico’s fresh milk regulation and production addressed various assumptions that, according to the island’s Agriculture secretary, had been subject to conjecture.
Present at the meeting were Agriculture Secretary Ramón González Bieró; President of the Milk Producers Association Manuel Martínez; Executive Director of the Milk Producers Cooperative Julio Meléndez; and General Manager of Tres Monjitas Orlando González, along with several cattle ranchers.
Attendees indicated that fresh milk supplies are projected to reach 98% and 99% by next Monday and Tuesday, returning to the levels seen before the current shortage cycle. This is despite roughly 10 percent of the milk used in fresh milk production being imported from Florida, where transportation delays are anticipated due to Hurricane Milton’s aftermath.
“The purpose of this gathering was to explore solutions,” Riquelme stated. “From what we were informed during the meeting, a significant factor in restoring the usual fresh milk supply is the planned maintenance closure of the Suiza Dairy plant. The milk destined for this company will then be redirected to Tres Monjitas, thereby boosting fresh milk production, as they are currently the sole producers of this product in Puerto Rico.”
“There was also discussion regarding the dairy farmers’ concerns about the compensation received for producing a quart [of fresh milk], which is reasonable given the expenses incurred on dairy farms,” she remarked.
As per the senator’s information, the findings from an economic production study mandated by the Department of Agriculture to evaluate prices are anticipated in the upcoming weeks.
Another issue the industry is facing, which Riquelme vowed to look into, is the rising cost of grain for feeding cattle and the permanent shutdown of one of Puerto Rico’s three grain mills. Riquelme stressed that “we must safeguard the dairy industry, and supporting our cattle farmers is the best way to achieve that.”
