Korea-made milk formula is receiving growing attention from Chinese parents these days.
Korean milk powder products are winning the trust of Chinese customers who consider the safety and quality of baby formula to be a top priority, as this might well be the first food that a baby eats in its life.
This is reflected in Korea’s milk powder exports to China, as they have shown a rapid increase over recent years. According to the Korea Customs Service, Korea exported more than USD 93.9 million worth of milk formula to China in 2015, showing a more than 20-percent increase over the previous year’s figure of USD 75.4 million. As Korea exported slightly more than USD 39 million worth of milk powder to China in 2012, the country’s milk powder exports have been showing 20 up to 30 percent increases every year.
A Chinese shopper inspects a can of powdered baby formula.
Korean firms have been focusing on customized products targeting Chinese parents and have been investing in R&D in this regard. Maeil Dairies, which began exports to China in 2007, focused on the purported differences in breast milk between Asian and Western mothers, and realized that Asian babies would need different nutritional compounds. Backed by such findings and related research, the firm developed a new milk powder product, Meiri Jindian Mingzuo (金典名作), that’s targeted at new Chinese parents.
Lotte Food has been concentrating on broadening its distribution channels in China since it began exporting milk powder there in 2007. Lotte’s Pasteur milk formula has been certified by China’s Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system and has received Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification. It contains lactobacillus and DHA from vegetables, which help with babies’ bowel movements and boosts their immune systems.
Finally, Namyang Company past January it launched a new milk powder designed for Chinese babies, Star Baby (星倍能), based on its know-how of developing milk formulas. It can be purchased across China both in stores and online.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
Lotte Food’s milk formulas have been certified by China’s Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system and has received Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification.
Namyang Company recently launched a new milk formula customized for Chinese babies.
