China's Dairy Chains: Towards qualities for the future

Wageningen University Animal Sciences Group, Report 95, December 2007

By Schiere, J.B.; Zhang, X.Y.; Koning, K. de; Hengsdijk, H.; Wang, H.

Dairy production in China is changing rapidly [over time] and it will continue to do so in the near future. It also varies [in space] across the various agro ecological and socio-culture conditions of the country. This report on ‘ quality' in the chain avoids to merely reviewing well-known data about different production conditions. It does aim, however, to give a framework for actions on sustainable development regarding quality for the short and long term. The report addresses issues of technology, mindset and chain dynamics, so-called hard- soft and complex system aspects. The report is meant for change agents in the dairy sector from business and policy to research and education. The report uses chain analysis to describe change and variation in Chinese dairy and to suggest action for ‘ product- ' and ‘ process quality'. It is based on a quick scan of dairy chains, especially in the North, the North East, the Central Plains and the Southern Hills. The ‘chain' in this report reflects the production process from soil and seed via farm-design to milk collection and -processing. Issues of marketing are mentioned only briefly due to lack of resources.

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