“The rupee devaluation, the recent fuel price hike, all add up to increased costs,” Achyut Kasireddy, Managing Director South West Asia, of the New Zealand based Fonterra milk company told this reporter.
He however refused to say what sort of price increase they were seeking from the authorities. Milk powder prices are controlled by the Government, with the price of a 400 gram packet of milk powder currently fixed at Rs. 260.
Kasireddy further said that regulations preclude manufacturers from circumventing price controls by offering weights outside the price control weight at varying prices, which when prorated to be in tandem with the price controlled weight is however found to be more expensive than the mandated prices (as per the price controlled regime).
The company on Wednesday launched to reporters its Anlene high calcium milk powder which is said to strengthen bones. Kasireddy said that women after menopause tended to go low on calcium which affected bone strength.
Fonterra has built an exercise walkway near the Galle cricket stadium and plans to build another in Kandy. Kasireddy said that the milk required for their Newdale dairy products are purchased from the local farmer.
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/12/04/imports-take-double-hit/