Although the agreement between Lotte and Spring Sheep Milk Co will initially focus on introducing children’s products into the South Korean market from 2019, the partnership is already seeking to launch an infant formula into China by 2020.

GlobalData’s recent (2018) report on China’s baby food sector noted that the market for specialist formulae has been virtually non-existent to date and, despite some recent growth, remains tiny.  Relatively few specialist products have been approved for sale in China, although in the latest edition of Baby Nutrition Insights,  GlobalData notes that a number of special formulae brands have recently been approved (Beingmate’s lactose-free formula; Periflex special formula for babies with phenylketonuria  from Danone’s SHS International’s business; and Mead Johnson’s Dutch-made Enfamil Pro Shu partially hydrolysed protein infant formula).

In 2017, hypoallergenic and lactose-free were the main types of special formula on sale but China is also notable as being one of the few markets in the world with a relatively developed market for goat’s milk-based infant formula (goat’s milk often being seen as an alternative to lactose-free milks). Whilst sales still account for less than 5% of the total infant formula market, they are reportedly growing rapidly, according to some sources at up to 50% in value per year.

Goat’s milk formula is popular among Chinese mothers: in a 2017 survey 41% said they choose it because they are ‘willing to pay more for their babies’ food’.  A few infant formulae based on yak’s milk and sheep’s milk have also been approved for sale and benefit from the same positive health image.  In fact, sheep milk is said to be more nutrient-rich than cow’s or goat’s milk, with a higher calcium and protein content.  The partnership between Lotte and Spring Sheep would look to exploit this trend, with the latter’s mission statement celebrating “the natural environment in its animal rearing, embodying free-roaming and grass-fed farming with no synthetic or artificial feed or GMOs or antibiotics”.

However, the partnership may be well advised not to leave it too long to try and enter the Chinese market. The alternative milks segment is expanding rapidly; every month seems to see new entrants anxious to take advantage of this buoyant and – thanks to its status as a premium product – hugely profitable market. The segment is currently led by Kabrita, marketed by Ausnutria Hypocra, which has been the best-selling imported goat’s milk brand since 2014. Other players include Blue River Dairy, Baiyue Dairy, Doraler Goat (made for Yashili by Camperdown), the Dairy Goat Cooperative (Karihome), Dumex, Wondersun, and Milk Goat.

In early 2018 Bubs announced that it would sell Bubs Advanced Plus+ goat’s milk infant formula through Chemist Warehouse’s ecommerce network via Tmall. Spanish association Uniproca is building a plant to manufacture goat’s milk formula and is forming a joint venture with Chinese formula distributor Eurbest to exploit demand in this market, which local companies are unable to fulfil due to the lack of high-quality goat’s milk. Feihe is now building a plant in Canada and plans to export goat’s milk to China from 2020. Most recently (again from Baby Nutrition Insights) it is noted that Jatenergy has acquired a 51% stake in Australian exporter Sunnya Pty Limited, whose portfolio includes Raicare goat’s milk infant formula, and an application for registration on the Chinese market has been submitted. Additionally, Bubs has signed a long-term distribution agreement with New Times Asia for the distribution of the recently acquired CapriLac goat’s milk brand on New Times Asia’s e-commerce platform.