The Regional Director for Agriculture stated in Lagoa that the Government of the Azores is aware of the reality and has done everything, within the reach of its powers, so that the price of milk paid to Azorean producers continues to increase.
 
"The Regional Government is attentive, being on the side of producers. However, it is important that industries invest and innovate, because good companies make good producers," stressed José Élio Ventura. He spoke Tuesday on the sidelines of a visit to the plant of PROLACTO - Lacticínios de S. Miguel, SA, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
 
José Élio Ventura pointed out that the "Government cannot decide when and how milk prices should increase," even though it continues to support producers to reduce production costs and companies, so that they may be able to invest in new processing methods, innovation and promotion of their products in markets and among consumers.
 
So far, BEL has been the only industry announcing the increase of one cent in the price of milk delivered to the factory during the months of November and December.
 
"We must realise that we are not talking about a drop in the price of milk. We are talking about a price increase that one industry is in a position to carry out, while others will not do in the meantime, but they may be do so in the future," stated José Élio Ventura.
 
The Regional Director for Agriculture stressed that the Azores followed this year the national trend towards the rise of the milk price paid to producers, while the European average stagnated.
 
The Azores milk is produced in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and in the open air, always in interaction with nature, being recognised for its high quality.
 
José Élio Ventura considered that the recent purchase of PROLACTO plant by the international investment company "Quantum Capital Partners" evidences that the investment in milk processing has a future. We must take into account that the world population is growing, and milk is incorporated in a variety of products that "most people do not even realise."