Why milk?

Many centuries ago, perhaps as early as 6000-8000 BC, ancient man learned to domesticate species of animals such as cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels for the provision of milk to be consumed by them.

Technological advances have only come about very recently in the history of milk consumption, and our generations will be the ones credited for having turned milk processing from an art to a science. The availability and distribution of milk and milk products today in the modern world is a blend of the centuries old knowledge of traditional milk products with the application of modern science and technology.

In 1988, the total worldwide milk production was 524 million tons, and caw, buffalo, goat, sheep milk production is estimated to be 496, 59, 11/6, 8/6 million tones of it, respectively.

The total milk consumption (as fluid milk and processed products) per person averages 107 kg worldwide, but varies from 380 kg in Europe and 280 kg in North America and Oceania, to 50 kg in Southern Asia and 20 kg in Eastern Asia.

 In 2006, Cow milk production in United States, India, China, Russia, Germany, Brazil, France, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ukraine is 82,462; 39,759; 31,934; 31,100; 27,955; 25,750; 24,195; 15,000; 14,359; 13,287 ('000 tones), respectively.

In Iran Cow's milk constitutes the major portion of production, and due to the significance of milk and dairy products in public health, the government has given top priority in efforts to improve the dairy sector.

Among the country's 28 provinces, Tehran, Khorasan, Isfahan, Mazandaran, East Azarbaijan and Khuzestan record the highest production, accounting for 50 percent of total output.

  Tehran has the highest production with 9.8 percent of the total output. In provinces with easier public access to milk, the product sells for far lower prices. In 2003, the production of pasteurized milk, UHT milk, cream, butter, yoghurt, and cheese has been estimated 546607, 43572, 20295, 1721, 87081, 68707 tons in Iran.

Therefore the present Website will provide beneficial and practical information on milk industry,and the issues provided will be important for many people involved in the production of milk - dairy farmers, veterinarians, educators, etc.