Barely a month after marketers slashed milk prices citing stabilized supply by processors, milk prices have increased again. A half litre packet of milk which a month ago was going for between Ksh 33 and Ksh 40 now retails for up to Ksh 45. Milk prices in June reduced from highs of Ksh 55 for half liter packets in the months from December 2011, which was attributed to low supply by farmers due to low milk production in the dry season.

Increase in fodder supply as a result of the April rains increased milk production which resulted to better supply by farmers to the processors.Low supply of milk by farmers has been blamed for the current price increase as farmers have opted to sell their products locally citing low pay by the milk processing companies.

Kenya Dairy Traders Association National Administrator Alex Gathii has said that increased cost of dairy farming and adverse weather conditions have resulted to dairy farmers changing trade, resulting to low supply of milk to processors. Most farmers especially in the Rift Valley region are shunning dairy farming for Maize and wheat farming.

Milk Processors, New KCC and Brookside Dairies have set out a nationwide campaign in dairy farming regions for collection of milk offering farmers better prices for the precious commodity. The campaigns are aimed at educating on quality production methods and supporting dairy farmers to ensure a steady supply of quality milk all year round.