09/15/08 US dairy sales in China

After the 1964 Olympics in Japan and the 1988 games in Korea, US dairy consumption in both countries increased. US DEC, the US Dairy Export Council is looking for the same opportunities in China now that the Beijing games are history. US DEC's Matt McKnight says they've been working in China for a decade. MCKNIGHT "I'd say the biggest key is being reliable and us constantly being there to show the enthusiasm of the US dairy industry to want to be a part of their markets. And to help them grow and use US dairy ingredients." In China there's a huge opportunity with the infant formula market. MCKNIGHT "Remember that in China, they birth approximately 20 million babies a year. Let's put that in perspective: the population of Australia is right around 20 million." US DEC says improving the nutritional value of the infant formula has had a definite impact on the Chinese market. MCKNIGHT "And so we were able to teach them and show them how to use US whey protein concentrates to make these types of formulas." The entire US population is 300 million. Within the next two years China's emerging middle class will top 400 million people and that could open even more doors to US dairy products. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott