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Milk marketing and post harvest loss problem in Ada'a and Lume districts of
east Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia

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Sky Journal of Food Science Vol. 3(4), pp. 027 - 033, July, 2014
Available online [Link]
©2014 Sky Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Milk marketing and post harvest loss problem in Ada’a
and Lume districts of east Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia
Kassahun Melesse, Bilatu Agza* and Adey Melesse
Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center P. O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
Accepted 12 June, 2014

A study was carried out in Ada’a and Lume districts of central Ethiopia to assess marketing and postharvest
loss problem of milk under small scale milk producing household level using structured questionnaire from 130
households. For the majority of the interviewed households, marketing of raw milk was not found to be a major
problem as these areas are located in the peri-urban where there are a number of milk processing plants and
their proximity to the capital city of the country. Majority of milk producers delivered their milk either to their
own cooperatives, collectors or processors within 30 min after milking. Nearly 5% of producers in each district
sold raw milk directly to consumers at their farm gate without any quality test. In both districts the highest milk
and butter prices were recorded in November and December whereas the lowest prices were recorded during
the major fasting period. Unable to cool milk immediately after milking, use teat dip solution and check udder
and appearance of foremilk for any abnormality, absence of separate clean milking place and improper order of
milking were among the major reasons for post harvest loss in the study areas. The most important reason for
milk rejection in both districts was spoilage due to improper cleaning of milk handling equipments and use of
inappropriate containers. The amount of milk spilled out per week per household was almost equal in Ada’a
district (0.72 + 1.09 lit/week/HH) and Lume district (0.73 + 0.92 lit/week/HH). About 50% and 42% of milk
producing household animals were encountering the udder infection problem in Ada’a and Lume districts,
respectively. Post harvest loss of milk in Ada’a and Lume districts was estimated to be 3.8% and 9.5%,
respectively.

Key words: Post harvest loss, milk marketing, rejection, spoilage, price.

INTRODUCTION

Postharvest loss is a major problem of the dairy sector in areas or to the processing plants due to poor
tropical countries. The high temperature coupled with the infrastructure (Staal and Shapiro, 1996). Only about 5 %
absence of cooling facilities and inadequate of the milk reaches the market area and the rest is
transportation means hasten the spoilage of milk processed at the farm into different dairy products
produced in these countries (O’Mahoney and Peters, (Mohammed et al, 2004). In addition, there are post-
1987). Postharvest loss of milk and dairy products harvest losses associated with poor handling,
reportedabout 40%,estimated to cost the Eastern Africa contamination, low level of technology applied in the
countries over 90 million USD annually ([Link]). In conservation of milk to extend its shelf life and lack of
Ethiopia, the rural milk production system accounts for market (Felleke, 2003). The same report indicated that
about 97 % of the total milk production in the country losses attributed to post harvest problems from
where it is difficult to transport the raw milk to the market production to consumption through collection, processing
and marketing are immense both on the formal and
informal milk marketing structures. However, the amount
*Corresponding author. E-mail: bilatuagza@[Link]. of milk spoiled and the reasons associated to postharvest
Tel: +251911027842. loss are not studied and documented well in different
1
28 Sky J. Food Sci.

Table 1. Sale of milk by farmers in Ada’a and Lume districts of

central Ethiopia.

Points of milk sale Ada’a (N=75) Lume (N=55)

N % N %
At the farm gate 4 6.15 3 7.3
At kiosk 3 4.62 - -
To cooperative 51 78.46 17 41.5
To collectors 2 3.08 17 41.5
Directly to processors 5 7.69 4 9.8
N= Number of respondents.

areas of the country and as a result there is no headed households was higher (73.3 % in Ada’a and
comprehensive information available in the area which 80.0% in Lume) than that of female headed households.
can help to devise different interventions to minimize the The present result agrees with previous report which
loss. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to assess indicated only one fourth of households in Ethiopia are
major reasons for milk postharvest loss and estimate the headed by women (Marco, 2007).The mean family size
amount of loss at smallholder milk producing household was similar in both districts (5.83+0.23 persons per
level in central Ethiopia. household in Ada’a district and 5.63+ 0.29 persons per
household in Lume district). The mean family size
MATERIALS AND METHODS reported in the present study is less than the national
average which is6.4 persons per household (Randall et
The studywas conducted in Ada’a and Lume districts of al., 2008). About 93% of the household heads in Ada’a
East Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia. Ada’adistrict is found district had secondary level of education and below
47 kms South East of Addis Ababa, the capital of (below grade 12); however, in Lume the figure was
Ethiopia. About 90% of the district belongs to the sub 96.4%.
tropical agro-climatic zone. The altitude of the district
ranges from 1500m to over 2000m, and the mean annual
rainfall, mean minimum and maximum temperatures are
o o
851 mm, 11 C and 29 C, respectively (Addis et al., 1998; Marketing of milk
IPMS, 2005). Lume district is in Oromia Regional State
located about 70 km South East of Addis Ababa, in an Although it is not well developed system, marketing of
altitude ranging from 1500 to 2300 m above sea level. raw milk was not a major problem for the studied districts
About 80% of the district belongs to sub-tropical agro- as these areas are located in the peri-urban areas where
climatic zone (Kassahun, 2008). there are a number of milk processing plants and due to
Based on altitude, land use system, village’s situation their proximity to the capital city of the country. Majority of
in representing the district and socio-cultural settings, five milk producers delivered their milk either to their own
villages were chosen from each district in which 8 to 15 cooperatives, collectors or processors. However, as
household per villagewere selected randomly. A total of shown in Table 1, the proportion of producers who
75 producers from Ada’a and 55 producers from Lume delivered raw milk to collectors in Lume district (30.9%) is
district were randomly selected. A semi-structured far higher than that of Ada’a (2.7%). A number of milk
questionnaire was prepared for data collection for both collectors were found to collect raw milk from Lume
qualitative and quantitative variables. The questionnaire district and sell directly to consumers, kiosks and milk
was tested in the pilot area and necessary adjustments shops in the same district or brought the milk to Ada’a
were made before commencement of the actual survey. district and deliver it to processing plants. Nearly equal
A total of 130 milk producing household were interviewed proportions (5%) of producers in both districts sold raw
from both districts. milk directly to consumers at their farm gate without
Descriptive statistics was employed for data analysis formal quality test. In the studied areas formal marketing
using Statistical Procedures for Social Sciences (SPSS) system was dominated unlike the rural areas and other
version 20.0 (SPSS, 2011), parts of the country that are far from major cities as
indicated by Brokken and Senait (1992) and Felleke
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS (2003). The present study is in agreement with the
previous studies that reported formal market was limited
Socio-economic characteristics to urban and peri-urban areas where collection of milk is
possible (Belete, 2006, Sintayehu et al, 2008, Adebabay,
In Ada’a and Lume districts the proportion of male 2009, Negash et al., 2012 and Bilatu et al., 2013)
2
 Melesse et al. 29

Table 2. Milk delivery time after milking in Ada’a and Lume districts of central Ethiopia (minutes).

Ada’a (N=75) Lume (N=55) Over all (N=130)

Time of milking N Mean time SD N Mean time SD N Mean time SD
Morning 67 29.18 15.49 43 31.79 21.63 111 30.47 18.23
Evening 66 28.56 15.31 42 30.27 21.15 109 29.23 17.65

N= Number of respondents.
SD= Standard deviation.

Milk Price
9
8
7
6
Price (ETB)

5
4 Milk Price Ada'a
3
Milk Price Lume
2
1
0

Figure 1. Milk price in 2010/11- (Birr) in Ada’a and Lume districts.

Milk delivery time after milking however, it could be related to the high milk demand as
majority of people do not fast during this time and milk
Twice a day milking was practiced in almost all of the production is relatively low because of the dry season.
households in the studied districts as in many parts of the The price of milk reached its lowest level in January,
country. On average, both morning and evening milk was February and March when the big fasting season in the
delivered within 30 minutes after milking to collectors, Ethiopian Orthodox religion falls. Then there was a sharp
processors, cooperatives or consumers (Table 2). The increment especially in Lume district after the big fasting
time taken to deliver the milk is relatively lower when period and during the rainy season (June, July and
compared to other areas of the country as these districts August). As it is indicated in many literatures
are located in the peri-urban areas where infrastructure (Mohammed et al., 2004, Sintayehu, 2008, UNIDO, 2009,
and marketing structures are relatively well developed. and Zelalem et al., 2013) fasting season is the main
However, unlike the current study, in some parts of the challenge for milk marketing and during this time milk
country such as Holeta, Selale and Debrebirhan the producers sale their milk with relatively lower price. The
evening milk is collected the next day morning (Yilma et average price of milk in Lume was relatively lower than
al., 2013). that of Ada’a district as it is far from the processing plants
and collectors incur transportation cost to bring the milk
to the point of consumption or processing.
Milk and butter price The trend of butter price was similar to that of raw milk
in both districts (Figure 2). The price of butter was low
Though the price variation across months is more or less during the big fasting period (January, February, and
constant, the highest milk prices were recorded in March) and the highest was between November and
November and December in both districts (Figure 1). December. During the rainy season the price was
The exact reason for this high price is not well known, relatively lower because of the higher milk yield that is
3
30 Sky J. Food Sci.

Butter Price
Price (ETB) 200
100 Butter Price Ada'a
0
Butter Price Lume

Figure 2. Butter price in 2011- (Birr) in Ada’a and Lume districts.

Table 3. Major causes of post harvest loss of milk in Ada’a and Lume districts of
central Ethiopia.

Ada (N=75) Lume (N=55)

Causes N % N %
Spoilage problem 10 13.3 12 21.8
Don’t cool the milk after milking 58 77.3 13 23.6
Don’t use teat dip solution after milking 1 1.3 4 7.3
Don’t check udder and foremilk 51 68 35 63.6
Don’t check abnormal appearance of milk 62 82.7 44 80
Don’t dry teats thoroughly 57 76 44 80
Absence of separate clean milking place 36 48 31 56.4
Improper order of milking 58 77.3 40 72.7
N= Number of respondents .

associated with the availability of better quality feed reasons for postharvest loss. Similar reasons mentioned
resources and green feed supplements. for the milk postharvest loss by Yilma et al. (2013).
The mean milk and butter prices indicated in the
present study were higher than the previous studies in
different parts of the country due to the ever increasing Milk rejection problem
inflation rate and associated cost of production. Belete
(2006) reported 24 Birr, Sintayehu (2008) 25.00-50.00 Almost equal proportions (26%) of milk producers in both
Birr, Adebabay (2009) 39.08 Birr and Teshager et al. districts faced milk rejection problem from cooperatives or
(2013) 60.99 Birr for a Kg of butter. Similarly, Kedija collectors due to several reasonsand spoilage was the
(2007), Woldemichael (2008), Sintayehu (2008) and most important one(Table 4). Improper cleaning of milk
Adebabay (2009) estimated the price for a liter of milk as handling equipments and use of inappropriate containers
2.54-2.71 Birr, 2.33-3.00 Birr, 2.00-4.00 birr and 4.00 birr, were major reason for milk spoilage in Ada’aand
respectively. However, monthly variation in milk and Lumedistricts, respectively. Poor milk handling practices
butter price was not well studied in other parts of the such as storage of milk in a hot place for long time,
country to compare with the present study. inappropriate transportation system, and inappropriate
cleaning of milk containers were also the reason for milk
spoilage in these districts. Poor milk handling practices
Major causes of post harvest loss were also reported by Sintayehu (2008), Belete (2006)
and Adebabay (2009) in different parts of the country.
Several reasons mentioned for milk post harvest loss by
milk producing households are summarized in Table
[Link] to chill milk immediately after milking, use teat Milk spillage problem
dip solution and check udder and foremilk for any
abnormality were among the major reasons for Milk spillage problem was one among the several post
postharvest loss in Ada’a district. However, in Lume harvest loss problems accounting for about 43% and
unable to check udder and foremilk and also appearance 47% milk producing households in Ada’a and Lume
of milk for any abnormality, absence of separate clean districts, respectively. The amount of milk spilled out per
milking place and improper order of milking were major week per household was almost equal in Ada’a district
4
 Melesse et al. 31

Table 4. Milk rejection problem and its causes in Ada’a and Lume districts.

Ada’a (N=75) Lume (N=55)

Facing milk rejection problem N % N %
Yes 19 26.03 13 26.00
No 54 73.97 37 74.00
Reason for rejection
Poor milk handling practices 10 31.25 10 19.61
Long distance to market 1 3.13 12 23.53
Use of inappropriate containers 8 25.00 14 27.45
Lack of cooling facilities 1 3.13 6 11.76
Cleaning problem 12 37.50 9 17.65
N= Number of respondents.

Table 5. Fate of milk from infected udder in Ada’a and Lume districts of
central Ethiopia.

Ada’a (N=75) Lume (N=55)

Fate of milk from infected udder N % N %
Dispose 27 67.50 18 72
Use for human consumption 1 2.50 2 8
Process at home 6 15.00 1 4
Use for calves & pet animals 6 15.00 4 16
N= Number of respondents.

(0.72 + 1.09 lit/week/HH) and Lume district (0.73 + 0.92 Areka area (Southern Ethiopia); Zenebe et al. (2014)
lit/week/HH). The spillage problem was severe during reported 64.3% in Adigrat area (Northern Ethiopia),
transfer of milk from container to container and during Mekbib et al. (2010) reported 71% in Holeta area (Central
transportation process. About 37.5 l of milk was lost due Ethiopia) and Abera et al. (2013) reported 46.7% in
to spillage problem per milk producing household per Adama area (South East Ethiopia).
year. Yilma et al. (2013) also reported spillage as the
major reason for milk postharvest loss in Ethiopia.
Forced consumption of milk

Udder infection problem There are times when milk that would otherwise be sold
has to be consumed at the household because of lack of
Udder infection problem was found to be apparent in both market and other problems. This type of consumption is
districts and significant amount of milk was lost due to considered as forced consumption and post-harvest loss
this problem. About 50% and 42% of milk producing as well. In Ada’a district, the peak forced consumption
households were suffering from udder infection problem recorded in October and the trend was almost similar in
in Ada’a and Lume districts, respectively. The mean the rest of the months (Figure 3). The lowest was in
disposal period of milk from infected animals was about November when the price is higher due to high demand.
five days in both districts ranging from 2 to 15 days. Milk Forced consumption was high in March and July in Lume
from infected udder disposed in the majority of district. In March the market demand was low due to
households and it could be used for animals, human fasting reason and forced consumption could be high due
consumption, processed in to milk products or used for to this fact. The exact reason is not clear why forced
calves and pet animals (Table 5). However, insignificant consumption was high in July. However, milk production
proportion of milk producing households used milk from was high during this time and milk producing households
infected udder for human consumption purpose in Ada’a might not get market for all of the milk they produced and
district. This might be due the producers’ understanding they could be obliged to consume the surplus milk.
from the repeated training they obtained about the
negative health effect of consuming milk from infected Estimation of postharvest loss
[Link] problem of udder infection is serious in many
parts of the country. For instance, Lidet et al. (2013) Post-harvest loss of milk in Ada’a and Lume districts was
reported 52.9% prevalence of udder infection (mastitis) in estimated to be 3.8% and 9.5%, respectively (Table 6).
5
32 Sky J. Food Sci.

Forced consumption
14
12
10
Milk (Lit)

8
6 Lume
4 Ada'a
2
0

Figure 3. Forced consumption of milk - 2011 in Ada’a and Lume districts per household.

Table 6. Estimated postharvest loss of milk in Ada’a and Lume districts of central Ethiopia.

Milk utilization in the household Ada’a Lume

Mean SD Mean SD
A Weekly milk production (Lit) 151.32 100.98 117.6 103.36
B Amount of milk sold per week (Lit) 129.35 82.81 84.38 60.52
C Amount of milk consumed per week (Lit) 6.40 4.50 6.97 8.55
D Amount of milk rejected from sale per week (Lit) 5.60 14.65 9.22 7.17
E Amount of milk dumped per week (Lit) 0.16 0.60 2 2.81
F Amount of milk donated to neighbors per week (Lit) 1.18 2.19 3.98 6.58
G Amount of milk processed per week (Lit) 8.71 9.98 11.04 9.20
H Estimated Milk post harvest loss per week 3.8% 9.5%
SD= Standard deviation
H=((D+E)/A)*100

The estimations assume only milk that is rejected from an opportunity to have sustainable and regular marketing
sale and milk dumped as post-harvest loss. The lower for the milk they produced. However, the price fluctuation
estimated post-harvest loss in Ada’a district might be due during the major fasting seasons as a result of low
to better marketing of milk in the district as a result of demand was the major marketing problem in these
availability of milk processing plants. The post-harvest districts. Milk produced during this time should be
loss in this study was far below for the Sub Saharan converted into longer shelf life milk products such as UHT
Africa which is about 40% ([Link]) which estimated milk by processing plants. However, all of the
postharvest loss of milk and its derivatives from milking to cooperatives do not have their own processing plant to
consumption. However in the present study estimated convert raw milk into longer shelf life products. Therefore
postharvest loss was assumed as the loss of milk during they are obliged to deliver the collected milk from their
milking to milk delivery to collectors and processors. members to processing plants at lower prices. There
should be contractual agreement with collectors and/or
milk processors to guarantee milk producers to have
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS sustainable marketing. In the long run, to increase
profitability, cooperatives should plan to have their own
It was found that most milk producers in Ada’a and Lume processing plantsin order to be able to convert raw milk in
districts deliver their milk to cooperatives. This provides to longer shelf life product. The major source of milk
6
 Melesse et al. 33

spoilage was associated with wrong milking procedure, Mekibib B, Furgasa M, Abunna F, Megersa B, Regassa A (2010).
Bovine Mastitis: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Major Pathogens in
improper milk handling and cleaning procedures. Such
Dairy Farms of Holeta Town, Central Ethiopia. Veterinary World,
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International Food Policy Research Institute. Washington, DC 20006
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Livelihoods, Poverty, and the Millennium Development Goals:
Agricultural Research center staff and the farmers who
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