DMK looks to emerging markets

Germany’s largest processor DMK is to concentrate further in exporting dairy products to the Far East and South America. North Africa is also a promising market for German dairy products identified by DMK CEO Josef Schwaiger. His 23-plant dairy, now processing 6.7 billion kg milk annually with an estimated annual turnover approaching €4 billion, is to open a sales office in China during 2012 and this, according to Schwaiger, will be used as launching pad for similar trading initiatives in countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia. A major product for this export drive is to be whey protein concentrate produced in cooperation with Arla Foods at the Nordhackstedt plant in Schleswig-Holstein. Preparation for increased processing of whey there is ongoing. The exported dairy protein concentrate will, says Josef Schwaiger, be an important ingredient for yogurt and ice cream production in the target markets.