Serra da Estrela, president of the Estrelacoop cheese producers’ cooperative, said Thursday that the price of milk from Bordaleiras sheep, Portugal’s main dairy sheep breed, will have to “mandatoryly” be raised.
In an interview with Lusa agency, Joaquim Le de Matos stressed that the increasing value of milk and PDO cheese from the Serra da Estrela is one of the consequences of the fire that has severely devastated the region.
“It is clear that the fires started in order for some of the Serra da Estrela cheese network and some of the actors, especially the shepherds who supply the milk, to bottom out,” the leader said, explaining that the sector is already fighting the emergency. drought and “extremely high” cost increases.
According to Joaquim Le de Matos, the increase should be between 6 and 7%, which “does not reach the level of inflation and will be insufficient, but will help to combat the effects of fires and severe drought.”
“Given the severe drought and these fires, we see that in the next alavan, which will begin in September, there will definitely be a decrease in milk production,” he stressed.
The president of Estrelacoop stressed that there would be a reduction in the production of Serra da Estrela DOP cheese as a consequence, and announced a campaign to raise consumer awareness of “the fact of shredding the price of cheese and, in turn, the increase in the price of milk”.
“This is the only way this range of Serra da Estrela cheese will stay afloat,” stressed Joaquim Le de Matos, anticipating an increase in the price of PDO Serra da Estrela cheese from 50 to 80 cents per kilo.
According to the director, the goal of the cooperative is to negotiate with large supermarkets, which currently absorb 75 to 78% of products, at a price of 17 to 17.5 euros.
“At least we wanted to reach 18 euros per kilogram,” he stressed.
Due to the fires and severe drought, Estrelacoop’s president estimated that, under normal circumstances, it would take at least two years to rejuvenate the flora and conditions for planting cereals to feed sheep.
“Biodiversity is at stake and something must be done at the state level, as it is not only about the application of exceptional measures and financial support for the shepherds,” said Joaquim Le de Matos.
Estrelacoop, headquartered in Celorico da Beira, has about eight dozen associated milk and cheese producers, 29 of which are certified producers of Serra da Estrela cheese.
The cooperative is also responsible for the PDO of Serra da Estrela Velho, Serra da Estrela Requeijan and Serra da Estrela Borrego.
The Serra da Estrela Natural Park is the largest protected area in Portugal and the fire, which has raged for 11 days and has been extinguished since Wednesday evening, has destroyed more than 25,000 hectares (about a quarter of the total area) in six municipalities. according to preliminary data provided by the authorities.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
