Global dairy giant Fonterra officially launched its UHT processed liquid milk product in Sri Lanka under its leading brand Anchor yesterday, at a new milk chilling centre in Gampaha.

“The introduction of Anchor liquid milk means we’re able to supply the country with the goodness of Sri Lankan milk, produced according to Anchor’s international quality standards,” Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka Managing Director Leon Clement said.

The new product comes in a one litre UHT pack which can be stored unrefrigerated and unopened for up to four months.

Until now, Fonterra has produced yoghurt from locally sourced milk, becoming the local market leader in dairy products such as butter and milk powder through imports from its home base in New Zealand.

“The introduction of Anchor Liquid Milk means we will need to collect more high quality milk from more farmers, and to do this we need a stronger Sri Lankan dairy industry,” Clement added.

Fonterra hopes to increase the production output of farmers it engages with to this end.

The company said that the new product will help meet Sri Lanka’s growing demand for dairy product and complement Anchor’s milk powder range.

The UHT one litre pack will be available in stores and supermarkets across the country.

The main competitors for Anchor in the UHT one litre pack market in Sri Lanka are Ambewela, Rich Life and Kotmale.