Asian dairy set to grow, says Fonterra

Consumer research has revealed that 72% of people in Asia see dairy as an important part of a balanced diet. However, the research also shows that less than half of the 9,000 people surveyed in nine countries are eating dairy on a daily basis.

Fonterra group director strategy, Maury Leyland, says the results clearly demonstrate growing awareness of the importance of dairy nutrition across the region and the opportunity this presents to the New Zealand dairy industry.

“With a fast-growing and increasingly affluent population, people across Asia are becoming more focused on their families receiving the right nutrition,” he says. “Fonterra’s strategy outlines our focus on the Asian markets, where we see big potential for growth. In New Zealand the average person consumes the equivalent of 245 litres of milk each year, but in Asia this average is only 30 litres.”

Dairy demand across Asia has grown rapidly over the last 10 years, with demand for high quality dairy nutrition increasing by 49%. This trend is set to continue with global demand expected to increase significantly in the coming years.

Of those surveyed in the research, Chinese and Thai consumers were the most aware of the benefits of dairy nutrition, with 84% saying they believed it was an important or very important part of a balanced diet. Recognition was the lowest in Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam at just over 60% in each country.

Chinese consumers are eating the most dairy with over 60% of people eating at least one serving a day, followed by the Philippines where 53% of people enjoy dairy on a daily basis.