Cheese continues to dominate growing global dairy product demand, which has risen by 15 per cent to 40.9 million tonnes in the last five years, though the product’s dominance may yet be challenged, suggests a new report.
The global furore over the recent melamine contamination scandal in China appears to have driven major shifts in the country’s dairy industry, not all of them to the detriment of manufacturers, says a new report.
This week, Fonterra announces support for a Chinese charity to protect infants and mothers in rural areas and Friesland says it will not budge on its provisional 2007 milk price.
The signing of a new free trade agreement between China and New
Zealand predicted to open up numerous benefits for dairy trade will
not setback the interests of producers in Europe, according to a UK
trade association.
This week, Robert Wiseman Dairies says it is on track to meet its
2007 profit expectations, and the founders of ice cream maker
Ben & Jerry's takes a stand.
The improved quality of the Chinese ingredients supply chain is
forcing European operators to lift their game, according to one
leading UK-based supplier.
Unilever is to extend its presence within ice cream manufacture
after announcing this week that it has agreed to acquire Russian
ice cream company Inmarko.
Danone yesterday remained tight lipped over the possibility of
making an imminent acquisition into India's high growth dairy
market, as part of the company's longstanding expansion aims for
the country.
Nestle has confirmed that it will work with New Zealand dairy
cooperative Fonterra in constructing and running a new dairy in
Brazil as part of a joint $40m (€27m) investment to step up raw
milk production in the country.
Russian milk production remains well below the country's output
targets for 2007, ensuring continued price hikes for the product on
the back of increasing global demand, according to the US
Department of Agriculture.
France-based Danone has successfully frozen the assets of a number
of enterprises allegedly linked to Chinese joint venture partner
Wahaha, on the back of increasing legal pressure over property
rights in the country.
Raisio is to cease production of margarine at its plant in Istra,
Russia from September, when it will transfer the operation to a
subcontractor in an effort to reduce over-capacity and boost
profitability.
Group Danone is experiencing further set backs to its plan to
expand its presence into Asia's booming dairy markets, as an Indian
joint venture partner turns the tables on the dairy giant,
according to press reports.
Dairy group Wimm-Bill-Dann has tightened its grip on the country's
dairy market by increasing its holding in one of the country's
major production facilities.
