Fuller, Frank H.; Hu, Dinghuan

China's Agri-Food Value Chain: Opportunities and Challenges: Proceedings of the WERA-101 2005 Annual Meetings, Impact Center, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, (2005): 71-103.

This paper sheds light on the evolution of dairy product markets in Southwestern China, a region where historically households have consumed relatively few dairy products. Based on interviews with leading companies in the region, anecdotal information is provided that illustrates the important forces and challenges that are shaping dairy production and marketing Southwestern China. Evidence from a cluster analysis of survey data collected in 2003 provides descriptive profiles of various consumer types that frequent upscale supermarkets in Kunming, illuminating interesting patterns in dairy product consumption and purchase preferences of different demographic groups. The paper concludes by drawing upon the observations from Kunming to suggest implications for future developments in the dairy sector in Southwest China and other regions.