05/28/07 Expanding dairy imports to China

China has more than 1.3 billion people and that's one reason the US Dairy Export Council went there eight years ago. US DEC's Marc Beck says our dairy exports to China have quadrupled during that period. BECK "Dairy is increasingly getting the recognition among the Chinese as an important part of a diet. The Chinese historically have not really been dairy friendly." What's causing the dairy growth in China? Beck says the growing number and popularity of food service outlets like McDonalds and Pizza Hut play a huge role. BECK "Interestingly enough, dining out at a Pizza Hut is really looked at as a special occasion and becoming increasingly popular amongst the Chinese." Beijing will host the 2008 Olympic Games. Beck expects a similar boost in dairy sales to that experienced when Japan and Korea hosted the games. BECK "China is already on a path, having increased its dairy consumption fairly dramatically, but we think with the advent of the Olympics that will provide an enormous boost in dairy product consumption amongst the Chinese." The US Dairy Export Council is funded by producer checkoff money and their goal is to increase the Chinese cheese exports by 2010. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott