Like their counterparts around the world, Vietnam's young and upwardly-mobile consumers are increasingly craving the creamy, indulgent taste of chocolates. The chocolate confectionery market in Vietnam recorded a 14.5% compound annual growth rate from 2009 to 2014 according to Euromonitor figures, growing from $33.2 million to $65.3 million during that span. Growth is projected to continue over the next five years, potentially reaching $85.9 million by 2019 as the number of chocolate-lovers multiplies.

Dairy plays a central role in healthy childhood development around the world, including delivering improved nutrition to children in low-income countries at risk of stunting and wasting due to malnutrition. Leading international researchers will present the latest scientific advancements on the role of dairy in food aid programs at the Dairy for Global Nutrition Symposium on Protein Quality, Growth and Malnutrition, to be held March 30, 2015 in Boston. Held in conjunction with the prestigious Experimental Biology (EB) conference, the symposium will highlight the expanding scientific body of research on dairy's health and nutritional benefits for vulnerable populations, as well as new methods to measure protein quality. Click hereto view the agenda.

The U.S. Dairy Pavilion within the Gulfood show in Dubai was the scene of bustling activity, as U.S. dairy suppliers connected with both new and existing customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The Gulfood Show, held February 8-12, 2015, is the premier food and hospitality show in the region, attracting buyers, end-users and chefs. Six USDEC member companies (Agropur, James Farrell and Co., Ronald A. Chisholm, Ltd., Saputo, Sartori and TC Jacoby and Co.) exhibited together with USDEC within the U.S. Dairy Pavilion, showcasing the vast portfolio of quality U.S. cheeses, whey ingredients, milk powders, butter and more. Several additional U.S. suppliers had their own booths or used the show as a platform for one-on-one customer meetings. In total, eighteen U.S. dairy companies participated in the Gulfood show, a reflection of the U.S. dairy industry's enthusiasm to expand and strengthen ties with customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

160 food and beverage industry decision makers attended the USDEC Healthy Snacking seminar held in Tokyo on October 31, 2014. Speakers included confectionery R&D expert Bob Boutin of Knechtel, dairy ingredient applications expert KJ Burrington of the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, and local functional snacking expert and enthusiast, Dr. Kazunaga Yazawa of Waseda University. The speakers inspired attendees to expand "better for you" product lines utilizing U.S. whey and milk proteins that meet Japanese consumer lifestyles and health and wellness needs.

USDEC exhibited at the Food Ingredients Asia trade show, held October 15-17, 2014 in Jakarta, Indonesia.This is the largest ingredients show held in Southeast Asia, with approximately 80 perent of visitors from Indonesia and the remaining 20 perent from the rest of Southeast Asia. USDEC used the show as a platform to highlight what's new in the U.S. dairy industry and reinforcing the U.S. dairy industry's supply security advantages and great progress and eagerness in being a customer-centric business partner for Southeast Asia. This included introducing USDEC's new Southeast Asia representatives while also communicating the exciting cost-saving, flavor enhancing benefits of permeate. Also highlighted were the U.S. dairy industry's rising supply of whole milk powder, tight spec skim milk powder and milk proteins, alongside the wide spectrum of whey protein ingredients. In conjunction with the show, USDEC also hosted a well-attended reception at the U.S. Embassy with the participation of over 100 Southeast Asian importers and end-users. The show as well as reception proved to be an effective platform to showcase the U.S. dairy industry’s advantages and evolving product portfolio.