Low production of milk by local farmers has seen a hike in importation.

The reliance on imported processed milk has become one of the major concerns for local farmers with one group now claiming that around 80 percent of the milk sold in Fiji is imported and this will negatively impact local producers.

Northland Farmers’ Cooperative Chair, Hirday Lakhan says he has personally seen foreign brands taking over shelf space in the market.

“In supermarkets you go to the area where liquid milk is kept and you will see more spaces are being occupied by imported milk. Sadly the white packet of Rewa Dairy was occupying a very little amount of space.”

Local milk prices have increased in recent time, while the imported milk is found at cheaper rate on shelves.

While there is shortfall in local milk production – the Fiji Corporative Dairy Company Limited’s Chief Executive, Kushmendra Prasad says they’re looking at other avenues to increase the production level.

“We have to look into the options as to how we can increase the production of dairy milk.80 percent is the imported milk coming from overseas countries into Fiji because our production is very low.”

FBC News contacted the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission on the issue of milk prices and they’ve not responded on the matter, despite numerous attempts.

The Fiji Dairy are yet to clarify claims as well and attempts to contact the company were futile.