Dairy best to keep milk simple
THERE was a time when the island was keen to lap up Guernsey dairy products. But time moves on.
The Dairy has launched a consumer survey, asking islanders for views on its products, dairy alternatives, and the local industry. A generation ago, things were simple. Milk was a premium product but relatively fairly priced. Alternatives were few and far between. And islanders were craving local yoghurt, ice cream and the rest.
But as the alternatives have grown, and the prices have fallen out of step with cash-conscious islanders, things are no longer so simple. The Dairy is under significant pressure.
Maybe the survey will tell the Dairy, and the States, not to look to grow the product range, but to hold back.
What if the Dairy is told that its operation, and the price of milk are just too expensive?
It’s likely that islanders will say that they want to retain the island’s green fields and premium milk, but almost certainly not at any cost.
If the Dairy was in the Dragons’ Den, the it would be told it’s trying to get into an overcrowded market with no chance of competing on price.
So rather than extending itself, we would like to see a dairy operating as cheaply as possible to keep Guernsey green, give us the best quality milk at the best-possible price, and leave the wider ranges to the industry’s big boys and girls.