Oman’s dairy production to increase

A major dairy project expected to increase Oman’s fresh milk production capacity will be launched soon in the Dhofar governorate, according to an official in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Minister of agriculture and fisheries Fuad bin Ja’afar Al Sajwani has already issued a ministerial decision about the project and also established a founding committee to work on it.

While the proposed dairy plant’s milk production capacity is not known, it would be involved in large scale activity of collecting and producing milk. According to the National Centre for Statistics and  Oman produced just 72 tonnes of fresh milk, a marginal increase of over 71 tonnes in 2011 and 70 tonnes in 2010.

Oman’s dairy market is dominated by Saudi fresh milk producers and the local milk producing companies supplement market needs.

The official says the proposed dairy project will have private sector participation and foreign direct investment. The government has decided to reduce its share from 60% to 40% by distributing its share between Omani National Livestock Development Company and Oman Food Investment Holding Company.