CONSUMPTION TREND OF MODERN DAIRY PRODUCTS AND PROJECTIONS OF DAIRY CATTLE REQUIREMENTS IN NIGERIA

Résumé

This study estimates the requirements for modern dairy products as Liquid Milk Equivalents (LME) and the size cattle herd that can produce the LME under the different scenarios of milk yield/offtake. Four dairy products viz: Condensed and Evaporated milk; Dry Milk Powder (skim and whole); Butter; Cheese and Curd were studied based on data obtained from secondary sources and analysed by trend projections based on regression analytical approach while standard conversion factors were used to convert each category of dairy product to its LME requirements were then used to estimate the National cattle population. Results showed that the LME requirements to meet the demand for Condensed and Evaporated Milk as well as Dry Powdered Milk vary from 13,480 tonnes in 1990 to 13,576 tonnes in year 2,000. Given the current consumption trend of these products, Nigeria has the required cattle herd potential to produce the LME. However, the establishment of appropriate milk collection logistics and adequate milk processing facilities are the demand necessary prerequisites.