Netherlands to double dairy exports to China  

(ECNS) – Chinese consumers longing for quality milk will soon see more dairy products from the Dutch.

Cees 't Hart, chairman of the Dutch Dairy Association and CEO of FrieslandCampina, one of the world's biggest dairy companies, said at a Wednesday press conference in Beijing that the Netherlands wants to double its dairy exports to China.

The Netherlands is the world's biggest dairy exporter. In 2013, its dairy exports amounted to 8 billion euros ($10.9 billion), of which 800 million euros ($1 billion) were exports to China. Hart said he wants to double that figure as soon as possible.

According to the Chinese Dairy Association, China's demand for milk far outstrips supply. It's able to produce only 37 million tons of milk while the demand stands at 40 million tons.

In March, China's President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the Netherlands and proposed expanding Dutch milk exports to China to help relieve its thirst for milk.

Just recently, the EU lifted a milk quota that limited the amount of milk farmers can supply. The Netherlands will raise its annual production by 7 percent, or 2.5 million tons.

Experts predict a huge opportunity in China's milk industry in the coming decade, as demand for milk per capita will double.

Cooperation between the two sides is not limited to milk products. The Netherlands will also share its experience in dairy cooperatives, quality control and management, as well as research and development.

FrieslandCampina, together with Wageningen University and China Agricultural University, set up a dairy development center in Beijing last November to improve China's milk quality.

Hart said the company is set to invest 40 million yuan ($6.5 million) in the center, and will establish dairy farms in China.