Government bans milk powder exports
19 Feb 2011
India, the world's largest milk producer, yesterday banned exports of milk powder and its derivative casein to contain rising prices in the domestic market.
The ban, announced by the commerce ministry, will immediately take effect and be valid till "further orders".
The ban would apply to skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder, dairy whitener and infant milk foods, the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), said in its order.
Milk prices have shot up by about 20 per cent in the retail market and by 12 per cent at the wholesale level in the last one year, worsening the food inflation figures that are well into the double digit.
Food inflation stood at 11.05 per cent for the week ended 5 February.
"The export of milk powders (including skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder, dairy whitener and infant milk foods), casein and casein products has been prohibited and hence not allowed to be exported till further orders," said the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
