Chinese ‘breast is best’ drive threatens dairy exporters

International dairy traders are benefitting from a 26% rise in infant milk formula (IMF) imports by China.

China Customs data showed IMF imports in January, 2015, up 26% year-on-year, to 12,000 tonnes. Leading suppliers were the Netherlands, Ireland, France and Germany. Supplies from New Zealand were down by 47%, attributed in part to continued lack of confidence following the Fonterra botulism scare.

China’s IMF market is set to grow to more than $30 billion by 2017, according to the Euromonitor consultancy, making the country a magnet for dairy exporters. However, China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee has began reviewing a draft amendment to the advertisement law, which proposes a ban on baby formula advertising, in order to promote breast feeding.