Vietnamese dairy products are as good as imported ones, experts and officials told a conference in HCM City on August 18 to promote domestic milk products.

Organised by the Vietnam Standard and Consumer Association (Vinastas), the campaign aims to educate consumers so that they can buy milk products that meet quality and hygiene standards and are at reasonable prices, according to Ho Tat Thang, deputy chairman of the association.

It also seeks to protect the consumers’ rights since imported milk powders are 1.5 to 2.5 times more expensive than the same products produced in the country.

Vinastas will coordinate with relevant agencies to hold seminars on dairy prices and quality in many localities across the country, including Hanoi, Danang, Hai Phong, Nha Trang and Can Tho.

Thirty three associations will encourage businesses to participate in the campaign to introduce their products to consumers in mountainous and remote areas through trade fairs.

Thang urged domestic dairy firms to cut prices and make products that meet safety and quality standards to become more competitive.

Deputy Minister of Health Trinh Quan Huan said Vietnamese businesses should promote their brands and ensure food safety and hygiene to gain the trust of consumers.

Deputy director of the National Institute of Nutrition Nguyen Thi Lam said research carried out by her institute found that the quality of domestic milk products was as good as imported ones, especially in terms of their protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral contents.

Bui Thi Huong, PR director of the Vietnam Dairy Products Joint-Stock Company (Vinamilk), said her company had ear-marked a large quantity of products for the campaign and would make them available in remote areas. The country’s fresh milk output only meets 28 percent of demand. The rest is imported./.