Milk prices up by 25 percent over low supply in Tanga region of Tanzania

The increased prices is being caused by decreased supply of milk, as climate change, specifically ongoing dry season and high temperature, have dried pastures and water sources, which have stressed cattle health conditions. Livestock keepers who mostly depend on livestock as their main source of livelihood, also say the situation has affected their income, as the quantities of milk they are currently producing are lower than during the last quarter of 2022. The survey by the Guardian has shown that one litre of cattle milk is currently sold at between 1,200/- to 1,300/- from 1,000/- recorded between December 2022 and January 2023. The survey carried out for number of days this month in Muheza, Tanga, Mkinga and Pangani districts, which are the main sources of milk, has found that the increased market stress is due to rising in demands, and low production. Speaking with the Guardian last week, some of the livestock keepers outlined various reasons causing undersupply of milk, the ...