Milk powder shortage to last till end of the month

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Milk Powder Importers Association yesterday said that the shortage of imported milk powder would last at least until the end of January.

Spokesman for the Association Asoka Bandara said that a ship carrying milk powder was expected to reach Sri Lanka at the end of January or early February.

Bandara added that the price of milk powder in the world market had been going up for nine weeks coupled with a dramatic rise in freight costs.

“This is why the prices of imported powdered milk were increased with effect from midnight on 30 December. The price of a packet of milk powder weighing one kilo was increased by Rs. 150.00 and the price of a packet of milk powder weighing 400 grams by Rs. 60.00,” he said.

When the new milk powder stocks arrive, the price of a packet of milk powder weighing one kilo would be Rs. 1,345. It was Rs. 1,195 earlier. The price of a packet of milk powder weighing 400 grams which was Rs. 540 now was sold at Rs. 480 before, Bandara said.

On 10 October, 2021, the price of a packet of milk powder weighing one kilo was increased by Rs. 250.00. The price of a packet of milk powder weighing 400 grams was increased by Rs. 100.00. Before the price increase in October, a one kilo packet of milk powder was sold at Rs. 945- and a 400-gram packet at Rs. 380.