AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION ON LOGISTICS PRACTICES FOR MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS

Abstract

Milk is a highly perishable product. It should be processed within few hours after purchase, unless it should be kept at low temperatures at which it can be stored for 2 to 3 days before processing. The key process of milk logistics starts from collection and cool storage of milk. The capacity of dairy co-operatives is to keep themselves competitive in a dynamic market is based on their skill & capacity to manage the production cost at an acceptable level. Significant logistics problems arise during collection of the milk from farms and goes upto the distribution of varieties of fluid milk and milk products to different retailers and customers. The requirements of quality and productivity in the process of milk production have nourished improvements in the logistics of the milk collection into dairy co-operatives, which make possible the reduction of collection routes and the increase in the amount of milk carried by truck, resulting in significant economy in the logistics cost and increase in profit. Logistics is the most important aspects of fluid milk and milk products in co-operative dairies. The increasing levels of product variety and customization, the ability to respond to customer orders in a timely fashion can provide a critical competitive advantage, which requires the flexibility in logistics system for fluid milk and milk products. The co-operative dairies in organised market are on a high growth level and captures higher share in total milk production and varieties of other dairy products.