Milk Types A, B, and C: How Classification Defines Market, Price, and Production Requirements

The classification of Brazilian milk by processing type — pasteurized, UHT, raw milk — and by the quality standards of IN 77 (Normative Instruction of MAPA) determines the product's access to different markets, production requirements, and the price paid to the producer. IN 77 establishes maximum limits for SCC (Somatic Cell Count) and TBC (Total Bacterial Count), which determine the bonuses or discounts in the milk price.

The producer who meets the quality standards of IN 77 — SCC below 300,000/ml and TBC below 100,000/ml — receives a bonus of R$ 0.05 to R$ 0.15/liter on the base price. For a production of 1,000 liters/day, this represents an additional R$ 50 to R$ 150/day — R$ 18,000 to R$ 54,000/year in quality bonuses.

When the milk meets the quality standards of IN 77 with low SCC and TBC and accesses premium markets, this segment can greatly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.

Participate in our strategic actions for the implementation of the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and 255 segments of the national agro — from the grains chain to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit cultivation, livestock, and much more.

The series Innovation For Brazil to Produce More was developed precisely to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and around the world, in the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, governments, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to improve milk quality to access IN 77 bonus standards

The improvement of milk quality starts with control of subclinical mastitis — the main cause of increased SCC. The CMT (California Mastitis Test) performed regularly and the immediate treatment of positive cows are the most impactful actions on quality.

✔    CMT (California Mastitis Test) — quick diagnosis of subclinical mastitis, conducted monthly

✔    Pre and post-dipping — disinfection of teats before and after milking

✔    Milking hygiene: individual cloths per cow; correct washing of teats

✔    Cooling tank: milk cooled to 4°C within 2 hours post-milking — controls TBC

✔    Monthly analysis of SCC and TBC by the cooperative or dairy laboratory

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for Small Rural Producers presents, in detail, the best solutions for the segment and the other 254 of the Brazilian agro — focusing on methods, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What equipment and services does milk quality require?

Milk quality requires milking hygiene equipment, laboratory analysis, and cooling — all with ongoing and increasing demand.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical and Computer Engineering — automated cooling tanks; temperature control;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — conductivity sensors for mastitis detection;

Control and Automation Engineering — CIP washing systems for milking machines;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — automatic dipping and pre-dipping dispensers;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for cooling and milking;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — quality management platforms for milk per cow.

✔    Milk cooling tanks — essential for controlling TBC

✔    Laboratory analysis of SCC and TBC — high demand monthly service

✔    Premium milking hygiene products: dipping, pre-dipping, disinfectants

✔    CIP (Clean In Place) systems for milking machines

✔    Consulting in milk quality and mastitis control

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How can the municipality support milk quality and access to bonuses?

The municipality that supports the milk quality program with a local laboratory and technical assistance increases producers' income without expanding land or herd.

✔    Municipal laboratory for analyzing SCC and TBC for producers

✔    Technical assistance program in milk quality

✔    Milk route with cold milk collection for dairies

✔    Municipal IDM: percentage of producers with SCC below 300,000/ml

✔    PNAE with quality local milk for school meals

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of the agro.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Retailers

How milk quality generates opportunities for laboratories, distributors, and dairies

The milk analysis laboratory is a highly demanded service in producing regions — as the cooperative or dairy needs to analyze the SCC and TBC of each producer monthly. A laboratory equipped with an automatic cell counter handles hundreds of samples per day with a high margin per analysis.

For the dairy, Grade A milk (low SCC and TBC) is the raw material with the lowest industrial cost — with lower pasteurization consumption and higher yield in derivatives such as cheese and yogurt. The dairy that pays bonuses for quality has access to the best milk and the best final product.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:

Analysis of SCC and TBC by FOSS or Bentley — high volume laboratory service;

Premium milking hygiene products — market with ongoing demand;

Milk cooling tanks — high demand equipment;

CIP system for milking machines — installation and maintenance service;

Consulting in milk quality program — high value and growing demand;

Premium craft dairy from Grade A milk — high added value product.

Profiles of traders and their specific opportunities

✔    Laboratories: analysis of SCC and TBC for cooperatives and dairies

✔    Hygiene distributors: dipping, pre-dipping, and milking disinfectants

✔    Tank manufacturers: milk cooling for small and medium producers

✔    Dairies: processing quality milk into premium derivatives

✔    Quality consultants: mastitis control and SCC program

✔    Dairy cooperatives: collection, analysis, and industrialization with bonuses

Growth strategies for local traders

The milk analysis laboratory that offers collection and monthly analysis for the entire milk basin with a digital report and improvement guidance has a guaranteed monthly recurring revenue service — as every dairy and cooperative is required to analyze the milk from suppliers by IN 77.

The PRONAF and BNDES Rural cover tanks and milking machines. Pronampe finances laboratories and artisan dairies. SEBRAE subsidizes quality certification.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Agricultural Product Trader maps 30 trader profiles and details growth opportunities in all 255 segments of the agro.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups with 30 members may organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and around the world.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Companies

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Agricultural Product Retailers

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Best regards,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering · Specialist in Project Management for Innovation and Technology

Lecturer: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering