Indore: Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Dairy Federation (MPCDF), that markets packaged milk and other milk byproducts, is mulling over exporting ghee, a move seen aiding in clearing pile up stocks and expanding the reach to foreign countries.
The federation is planning to start export of ghee to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, a regional intergovernmental organization in South Asia and gradually expand its reach to other foreign nations.
MPCDF also plans to sell ghee to other Indian states and has invited EOI from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi among other states.
The federation gets a surplus of around 3 lakh litre per day of milk which gets converted into butter and skimmed milk powder. Butter is further converted into ghee.
MPCDF sells around 4,000-5,000 MT ghee per year in Madhya Pradesh.
Dr Satish Kumar, MD, MPCDF said, “We are planning to export ghee and initially focusing on SAARC countries. Ghee can be easily transported for longer distances as it has a shelf life of around 6 months. We have started discussion and have applied for registrations and plant licenses. The plants from which products are to be exported need to get licenses.”
Kumar said, maintaining the cold chain and quality for long distances will be easier for ghee due to long shelf life.
MPCDF has applied for registration at National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), an umbrella organization for exports by the entire cooperative sector of the country. Another body is the export inspection council which inspects the plant and gives licenses for exports.
The federation has milk unions at Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Bundelkhand.
“We are starting with ghee exports to SAARC countries and then gradually evaluating other destinations and products,” said Kumar.
