July 25, 2007

Vietnam's milk imports seen to increase this year

Vietnam is likely to import 76 percent of milk to meet its production requirements this year, according to a local agriculture agency on Tuesday (July 24).

The Animal Breeding Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said Vietnam is seen to produce 243,000 tonnes of milk materials in 2007, up 12.5 percent against 2006, meeting 24 percent of its dairy sector's demand.

Due to the world shortage of milk supply, the average price of milk products in Vietnam, which increased 9.7 percent last year, is again poised to rise by 12.5 percent in 2007, and some 16 percent in 2008.

Vietnam's materials for milk production come from two main sources: fresh milk from locally raised cows and imported powdered milk. The country currently has 132,000 dairy cows and 23 milk production facilities, according to the department.