Milking success with Chinese products in Africa

Viju Industries (Nigeria)'s milk products are made of formula powder, sugar and juices, and the company says only the best ingredients are used. CHINA DAILY

When Chinese consider milk products they often look to overseas imports, regarding them as highly trustworthy.

In Nigeria it is to China that many people look to quench their thirst for milk-based products.

Viju Industries (Nigeria) Ltd in Lagos has been selling such products in Nigeria since 2004, and now sells more than 1.2 million bottles a day.

"We use the highest standards to guide our production, and we have brought in the most professional factory leader from China to supervise production," says Hu Zhibao, special assistant to the company.

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The milk products Viju makes consist mainly of formula powder, sugar and juices. The company says it insists on using the best ingredients bought locally and internationally.

"For example, we buy branded sugar locally and milk powder from the Netherlands, New Zealand and Malaysia because they cannot be produced in Nigeria."

The machinery and other equipment is also among the best, bought from China, Hu says.

"To ensure smooth production and maximize the life of our machines, we have tied up with a local gas company to ensure stable power supply. We have a specialized team consisting of both Chinese and local technicians to handle all the mechanical problems."

Before Viju came to Nigeria 10 years ago, no milk beverages were available, Hu says, so government standards for production did not exist.

"Standards are important in this industry, where hygiene, the nutrition that goes into foodstuffs and production need to be closely monitored.

"Even though there were no standards in place, there was no problem in drawing them up because the government believed more producers would come into the market later."

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control worked with Viju, together with the Standards Organization of Nigeria, to draft standards by drawing on regulations in the European Union and China, Hu says.

"We made a great contribution to that, and our standards are the highest in Nigeria."