Ernakulam Milma union begins export of ghee

Two tonnes of clarified butter sent to Abu Dhabi

The Ernakulam Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (ERCMPU), part of the apex milk cooperative Milma, has ventured into export of clarified butter (ghee). The first batch, comprising two tonnes of clarified butter, was exported to Abu Dhabi early this week from the Milma zonal union office at Edappally.

Chairman of the Ernakulam union John Theruvath said this was the first time the central union was entering the export field and expected to make good the opportunity. The chairman said export depended on the shelf life of products and at present clarified butter had a shelf life of 90 days. The milk cooperative is also exploring the possibilities of export of Peda, a milk-based sweet.

The Ernakulam regional cooperative, comprising the districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki and Thrissur, has a total daily procurement of 4.20 lakh litres of milk per day. The sales volume stands around four lakh litres per day. The remaining 20,000 litres of daily procurement goes into value-added products like peda and paneer, said the chairman.