WINDHOEK – The Dairy Producers Association (DPA) says some local retailers are misleading consumers with ill-advised messages that imply that the new regulation of dairy imports has caused some dairy products to be out of stock. The regulation came into effect on October 16.
The DPA understands from the Meat Board of Namibia that all applications for dairy imports for the first month were in fact approved and granted. Hence, should low stock levels be experienced in any retail outlets in Namibia, this should not be attributed to imports that have been restricted, but rather due to failure on the part of the importers to comply with the requirements of permit applications.
“Pricing policies that could be compared to predatory pricing by some local retailers is one of the contributing factors to the current dilemma of the dairy industry in Namibia,” said Japie Engelbrecht, the chairperson of the DPA.
The DPA says the local dairy industry is committed to deliver high quality dairy products within the strict Namibian production guidelines that guarantee products that are free of any genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and synthetic hormones. “The forward linkage should eventually benefit the Namibian consumers as part of our partners in the development of the local dairy industry,” the association says.
“We welcome the government’s price monitoring project as a benchmark to ensure a level playing field for local competition. In this regard we undertake to accommodate all necessary measures to develop and enhance the Namibian dairy industry in a sustainable way. This in turn is in direct support of the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Growth at Home strategy,” he said.
By Staff Reporter