With the rise in demand for western-style foods, containing cheese, there has been a rise in the potential market value, thus making dairy farming more attractive to as a potential business. The retail market for cheese has grown strongly over the past seven years. This new report from Access Asia covers cheese and cheese products in China, with stats up to 2004, market shares, production and forecasts to 2009.
China is changing rapidly and so are its tastes. As a consumer society emerges, so new products are appearing with increasing regularity. Dairy products are among them. Rising average annual incomes, greater ownership of fridges and freezers, increased exposure to western and international cuisines and a greater array of goods in the supermarket are all combining to increase sales of dairy products in China.
Historically, dairy and milk-based products were rare in China. A high incidence rate of lactose intolerance, low level of milk and dairy production, no cultural history of cheese and other dairy products combined to keep the market restricted. Add to this the mammoth transportation problems, southern climate, poor storage and packaging and dairy products were not the easiest things to produce and sell either for local or international companies.
But, tastes have changed. The arrival of the fast-food chains, western-style supermarkets, greater awareness concerning the health benefits of dairy products and the emergence of a generation both willing and able to try new products and the market for dairy products has made great strides in China.