July 6, 2012

Glubokoye eyes for Vietnamese, Chinese markets

Prospects of entering the Chinese market opened up when Glubokoye Tinned Milk Factory took part in the 23rd Harbin international trade and economic fair that was held on June 15-19 as well as promoting its products in Vietnam by establishing a Belarusian-Vietnamese trading house in the city of Hanoi.

The market is of great interest since 9.7 million people live in the city and the satellites. Potential partners have been sent samples of whole-milk and skimmed milk powder, whey and relevant documents. The prices are being negotiated.

The whole-milk and skimmed milk powder the company plans to sell there is now poorly represented.

Sergei Stolyaronok said there were certain difficulties, however, the company is intent on tackling them. Chinese partners have been given product samples, the first negotiations to establish contacts have been held successfully. Cooperation will be discussed further on during a visit of representatives of Harbin business circles to the Belarusian city of Vitebsk this week.

In the first half of 2012, Glubokoye Tinned Milk Factory turned out BYR377.8 billion (US$45 million) worth of merchandise, nearly 150% up from the same period of last year. Export totalled US$15.2 million in January-June and accounted for 70% of the total sales. Glubokoye Tinned Milk Factory shipped its products to Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Armenia, and the USA. In January-May the energy saving indicator amounted to 8.6%, labour productivity stood at 263.9% as against January-May 2011, with salaries averaging BYR3.5 million (US$417).

Glubokoye Tinned Milk Factory was founded in 1966. It comprises a Braslav-based manufacturing division and the agricultural enterprise Mnyuto. The company offers tinned milk, butter, milk powder, whole-milk products, casein, and hard rennet cheeses. The product range includes over 120 titles. The company employs 1,100 workers.