China imported 23,328t of infant formula in May, an increase of 37% year on year.

The Netherlands remains the number one exporter of infant formula to China, with 34% of imports in May coming from the country.

The infant formula market is valued in the region of $35bn in retail sales per annum and, in 2015, Irish infant formula exports reached €1.5bn.

Overall, there was strong demand for dairy products in May, with fats and SMP increasing on year-earlier levels.

Skim milk powder

Chinese SMP imports increased 39% to 18,522t in May, with year-to-date exports now at 110,722t. This accounts for an 11.8% increase year on year.

New Zealand continues to be the leading origin of SMP imports for China.

Whole milk powder

Meanwhile, imports of WMP to China were down 18% on year-earlier levels. Some 26,860t was imported in May.

Like SMP, New Zealand is the biggest exporter of WMP, with over 90% of all WMP imports coming from the Kiwi country.

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