Salford blamed for market disruption

The shortage of milk in stores in Serbia was brought on by speculative activities of the Salford investment fund, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced. Two major dairies owned by Salford, Imlek and Suboticka Mlekara, said they would hike their prices due to a decrease in the amount of milk delivered by farmers and rising costs. The dairy plants in Nis and Loznica said they would follow suit. Salford blamed for market disruption The prices of milk and dairy products are thus expected to go up five percent as of mid-August. The Competition Protection Commission previously on two occasions determined that Salford had abused its position to form a monopoly in this segment of the market. The ministry is now once again asking that the commission determines the facts, and said it expected an urgent reaction from authorities with jurisdiction in this matter. The ministry said in its statement in Belgrade today that it wold continue to support cattle raising farmers and that it had "no intention to put money from the (state) budget into the pockets of investment funds, whose sole goal is to make a profit, rather than develop the market or make a strategic commitment to the milk industry sector". Reports said that many towns in Serbia saw shortages of milk in stores, as farmers stopped selling raw milk to dairies, dissatisfied with low prices and state subsidies of only RSD 1.5 per liter.

Salford blamed for market disruption

The prices of milk and dairy products are thus expected to go up five percent as of mid-August.

The Competition Protection Commission previously on two occasions determined that Salford had abused its position to form a monopoly in this segment of the market.

The ministry is now once again asking that the commission determines the facts, and said it expected an urgent reaction from authorities with jurisdiction in this matter.

The ministry said in its statement in Belgrade today that it wold continue to support cattle raising farmers and that it had "no intention to put money from the (state) budget into the pockets of investment funds, whose sole goal is to make a profit, rather than develop the market or make a strategic commitment to the milk industry sector".

Reports said that many towns in Serbia saw shortages of milk in stores, as farmers stopped selling raw milk to dairies, dissatisfied with low prices and state subsidies of only RSD 1.5 per liter.