Milk and Milk Products Consumption Pattern in Puducherry

An exploratory study was conducted to ascertain the consumption pattern of milk and milk products in Puducherry. A total of 300 respondents were selected based on cluster random sampling comprising of 100 respondents each from rural, peri-urban and urban areas. The per capita consumption of milk was found to be 200 ml/ day and the average daily family purchase of milk was 657 ml. Majority (70%) preferred to purchase the milk from milk vendors and as pasteurized milk packet whereas in the rural area 80 per cent purchased from milk co-operative societies. Pasteurized milk packet was purchased mainly from PONLAIT (57%) and CAVINS (37%) milk parlours. Majority (98%) consumed the milk as Tea/coffee and one-third (30%) consumed as milk. Rural respondent (20%) had a habit of drinking milk before going to sleep. With respect to milk products only one half (52%) of the population prepared milk products at their home. Butter milk (46.6%) and Curd (34.7%) were the two major milk products prepared at the home. Ice cream (80%), Kulfi (70%), Ghee (68%) and Curd (64%) were the major milk products purchased. Cheese (94%) and Butter (88.3%) were the two major milk products which were not consumed by the respondents. Only 11 % were aware about the A1 & A2 milk and none of the respondent in the study area preferred to purchase A2 milk. Only a meagre 3% were aware about the FAT and SNF in the packet milk. There is an increasing demand for milk and milk products in Puducherry but the milk production still remains the same