For the first three months of 2017, Irish exports of infant formula to China stood at more than 9,400t, which represents a 17% increase compared with the same period last year and a near 60% increase since 2015. January to March exports are valued at close to $125m.
For the first three months of 2017, Irish exports of infant formula to China stood at more than 9,400t, which represents a 17% increase compared with the same period last year and a near 60% increase since 2015. January to March exports are valued at close to $125m.
This strong growth in infant formula shipments to China means Ireland has now carved out a 17% share of China’s total infant formula import needs. In total, China imported more than 225,000t of baby powder in 2016, which was valued in excess of $3bn.
Ireland is the second-largest exporter of infant formula to China behind the Netherlands, which exported 16,850t or $227m worth of baby powder between January and March this year. Based on these exports figures, Chinese demand for infant formula would appear to be buoyant.
Contrasting reports from two of Australia’s largest dairy exporters raise questions. Infant formula producer A2 Milk says demand from China was particularly strong this year and had “exceeded expectations”, particularly through online sales channels.
In contrast, Australia’s largest dairy company Murray Goulburn said it was stalling its expansion in China because of uncertainty around infant formula regulation in the country. The group said it would not be spending money in China as “the regulatory environment in China for infant formula remains fluid as further details of potential regulatory impacts continue to emerge.”
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