A worker stacks canned milk powder at the Nyaung Bin Ley market in Yangon. – Pic: Htin Kyaw

CHEAPLY priced milk powder in plastic packets is rapidly becoming the buyer’s choice in Myanmar.

A number of local wholesalers said most of the brands are imported from China, while some are from other countries like Australia and New Zealand – which are major suppliers of dairy products worldwide.

Two forms of powdered milk packaging prevail in the market – 900 gram cans and plastic packets, which range from 20-500g in weight.

There are many brands of canned milk powder being imported from dairy producing countries like Australia, New Zealand and several European nations. Ensure, Isomil, Pediasure, Similar, Cow Head, Glucerna and Dumex are the favourite brands of milk powder being sold in Myanmar.

Most of the western brands are sold in 900g cans and their prices vary from K28,500 to K31,000. However, the favourite brand for buyers is Dumex because at K10,000 for 900g, it is only one-third of the price of the recognised brands.

“It’s becoming very popular in the market because of its reasonable price which most buyers can afford,” said Daw Aung Hwe Thein, a wholesaler at Bogalay market, in Yangon.

“Brands like Similar, Cow Head, Isomil and Pediasure are chosen by buyers who believe they can encourage children’s development. Glucerna is especially for people with diabetes and a 400g plastic container of Glucerna is K18,000,” she added.

Another wholesaler, Daw Kyin Kyin said she believed consumers were choosing for convenience.

“Milk powder in plastic packs is preferred by the market because buyers can choose the size of packet which suits their needs. The prices of these types are also comparatively cheaper than the canned ones,” she said.

There are four types of milk powder in plastic bags: 20g, 200g, 400g and 500g packs and their prices hover around to K90, K800, K1500 and K1800 respectively, though prices fluctuate depending on market conditions.

Brands like Red Cow and Golden Flower, which are imported from China, rule the packet market, although recent entries by other brands could upset the current balance, according to Daw Kyin Kyin.

“During the past two years, the New Zealand brand PEP has penetrated the packet milk powder market effectively and they are now getting a foothold” she said.

“PEP milk powder packs are generally 8-10 percent cheaper than the Chinese brands although its quality is high. So, buyers are starting to move to PEP,” said Ko Myo Kyaw Thu, marketing manager of Red Horse Industrial Group, which is importing PEP.

“But, the potential for a milk powder price increase is high because the milk price on the world market is rising,” he said.

Milk powder was invented 1802 in Russia by Dr Osip Krichevsky.
Milk powder is favoured for use by many people, especially in the third world and developing nations because it is rubust and has many packaging advantages. Compared to liquid milk it is compact, convenient to transport, can be stored for long periods and does not need to be refrigerated.

According to the UN’s Food and Alcohol Organisation the average per capita consumption rate of dried milk in India is 86 kilograms and in Thailand it is 23kg, while Myanmar’s average consumption rate is only 16.5kg.