FHA2018 SHOWDAILY
26 April 2 018
USDEC to entice
SEA consumers to
eat more US cheese
THE US dairy industry is well positioned
to meet the increasing demands for dairy
products in South-east Asia. It has the ca-
pacity to meet the demands and has a vast
array of dairy products coupled with an
uncompromising commitment to quality.
However, US dairy suppliers need to
know how South-east Asians are consum-
ing dairy products — and this is where the
US Dairy Export Council (USDEC) at
booths 7A4-01 and 7B4-06 comes in.
As a non-profit, independent member-
ship organisation that represents the global
trade interests of US dairy producers,
USDEC studies various markets so it can
provide the right information to dairy pro-
ducers back home on different demands
for dairy products.
Vikki Nicholson, senior vice-president,
South-east Asia Business Unit at USDEC
reveals a number of initiatives to study the
dairy market needs in the region. “Knowl-
edge and education is key,” she says. For
example, take US cheese. To cater to
international consumers’ taste prefer-
ences, US cheesemakers are testing new
flavour combinations and continuously
work with customers to ensure the cheeses
meet their functional and dietary specifica-
tions as well.
USDEC also partners with Asian chefs
to explore endless taste possibilities for
US cheeses. “As South-east Asia’s chefs
and consumers recognise and seek out
the endless taste possibilities and creamy
texture of cheeses, American cheesemak-
ers are pushing their limits to craft bolder
flavours that complement Asian dishes,”
Nicholson says.
According to USDEC, the region’s
enthusiasm and rising interest in US
USDEC’s Vikki Nicholson (right), with one of its
food application specialists for the Philippine
market, Chef Jill Sandique who prepared some
pastries for visitors using US dairy ingredients.
cheese resulted in 52% growth of US
cheese exports to South-east Asia provid-
ing 16,553 metric tons this year.
USDEC also partners with Asian chefs to explore endless taste possibilities for US cheeses.
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