Judith Pena | February 14, 2023
Panamanians consume an average of 400 million liters of milk per year, however, only half is produced to satisfy this demand, as indicated by the Minister of Agricultural Development Augusto Valderrama, assuring that they work together with producers to achieve this aim.
“Right now we consume 400 million liters a year, we only produce 200 and we have the possibility of producing twice as much and we have great opportunities to export to other countries like the United States, for this we work on the integration of the livestock sector from breeding,” he said. visualizing that animals should be raised that produce from 8 to 12, 14, 16 and up to 20 liters of milk per cow.
Valderrama’s statements were made within the framework of the International Certifications in high standards that Industrias Lácteas SA (Blue Star) received in terms of Safety, Quality, Industrial Safety and Health and Environment.
The head of MIDA highlighted the importance of these certifications for Panama to open its way in the international market and said that there were four high quality certificates between quality control, in the environmental part, safety and professional health. “This places it in one of the preponderant pillars of the national and international industry and creates important conditions for Estrella Azul, its brand and its high quality product, to be able to cross the border of Panama and export them,” he said.
For his part, Erick Cruz Sepúlveda, General Manager, indicated that the certified system covers from the reception of raw materials, manufacturing processes (preparation, pasteurization, filling, packaging) and product storage at the Plant.
He assured that the milk chain is dynamic, promotes competitiveness and is a catalyst for opportunities for social mobility through job creation.
