Australian fresh milk on fast-track to China

Norco fresh milk. (Photo: ABC)

(ECNS) – It now only takes one week for fresh milk from Australia to reach the shelves of Chinese supermarkets after a deal to fast-track the quarantine process.

With the deal made between the Chinese quarantine authorities and the Australian dairy industry, northern NSW dairy co-operative Norco is now able to export its fresh milk to China within seven days.

China is the world's biggest dairy importer. Cutting the shipping time from 21 days to one week means Australia could greatly expand its milk exports to China.

Export agent Peloris Global Sourcing said they have exported 20,000 liters of milk and are planning to export one million liters every month.

The milk is sold at about $9.5 per liter, four to five times the price of milk produced by Chinese companies. Yet demand is strong because many consumers still worry about China's milk quality.

Special: The best from Australia