Milk Consumption in the Milk Bars of the City of N’Djamena in Chad

Abstract

Out-of-home milk consumption has been increasing for the past ten years in N’Djamena, capital of Chad, through small shops called milk bars. In order to understand the reasons for this new dynamic, 180 consumers chosen at random in 36 of these places were interviewed by means of a transversal survey conducted in March-April 2007. The surveyed consumers were on average 31 years old, unmarried for the majority (54%), originated from the Sahara-Sahelian region (84%) and worked in the informal sector (half of them). More than one third (37%) bought milk “to take away” and the rest consumed it in the bars, mostly in the evening (79%). The dairy products consisted in sweetened fresh milk (halib) and cultured whole milk (rayeb) often consumed with bread. Average consumed quantities per client were 11.5 L/month for fresh milk and 19.5 L/month for rayeb. Quantities varied according to the season and the origin of the client. A consumption peak occurred during the hot dry season when production was at its lowest level. However, the price of these two products was stable at 1000 FCFA/L throughout the year, because of the existence of supply contracts with the milk bars. The farm origin of fresh or fermented whole milk greatly influenced the consumers’ choice. Suggestions are made to improve milk supply during the hot season so as to meet the increasing demand.