SMC’s National Foods eyes A$100M from AsPac exports by 2007

San Miguel Corp.’s Australian dairy unit National Foods Ltd. is aiming to generate A$100 million in revenues from its exports to the Asia-Pacific region by 2007 as it merges with juice manufacturer Berri Ltd.

San Miguel acquired National Foods, Australia’s largest dairy company, last May. The Philippine food and beverage conglomerate also owns a 50-percent stake in Australia’s biggest juice company, Berri.

Around A$55 million or 5.5 percent of National Foods’ total revenues currently come from key export markets like Hong Kong, China,Singapore and Indonesia.

"We would like to extend National Foods’ product reach to high-growth emerging markets like the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. Apart from National Foods’ existing markets, these are markets in which San Miguel is already present and where we have the size and presence to achieve economies of scale in distribution and sales," San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said.

National Foods is set to introduce dairy products in the Philippines and develop packaging formats and sizes targeted specifically for markets in Asia. It also plans to export Berri’s Sunblest and Burst juice products to Southeast Asia and introduce high-calcium milk products for Asian consumers.

With Berri now folded into its business, National Foods’ product portfolio, which includes milk, fresh dairy foods and specialty cheeses, has expanded to juice and water.

National Foods is Australia’s leading producer of fresh milk, yogurt and specialty cheese under brands like Pura, Masters, Farmers Union and Classic. The company also manufactures Yoplait fresh dairy products under license and produces Vitasoy soy beverages through a joint venture with a Hong Kong partner.

"By mid-2006, we want to place National Foods and Berri products within the reach of Asian consumers. We have strong brands and great-tasting products. Given the trend and shift in consumer preferences to categories associated with nutrition and health, we’re confident that consumers from all over the region will respond favorably to our dairy and juice products," Ang said.