Vinamilk snags Asian Export Award for condensed dairy products

The Vietnamese dairy company won in the processed food category under the large corporate group.

Singapore Business Review and Hong Kong Business hailed Asia's leading exporters and their award-winning products and services at the recently concluded Asian Export Awards 2019.

On its second year, the awards programme lauds exceptional products and services that have remarkably enhanced a company's business in the regional export scene.

This pinnacle event for Asia's best exporters is open to two divisions—the large corporate for big companies with group turnover of over $300 million and the local champion for small or medium-sized enterprises.

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC. (Vinamilk) grabbed the Asian Export Award for processed food under the large corporate category, thanks to its condensed dairy products.

Its condensed milk “Ong Tho” is creamy, rich and addictively sweet with high protein amount. It is therefore widely used for preparing meals and desserts. Meanwhile, the condensed creamer, known as Southern Star, has less buttery taste which is specifically formulated for smoothie, milk coffee and tea blend. Recently, Vinamilk has also developed evaporated milk to diversify its product category, aiming to meet consumer demand worldwide.

“Any variant of the products we have launched is the combination of intensive research and in-depth study. Through testing and collecting feedback from consumers, we now possess more than 10 formulas of condensed milk and creamer that perform extremely well on the market with export volume of more than 10.000 tons yearly,” said Vo Trung Hieu, International Business Director of Vinamilk.

The “Ong Tho” brand name, created to serve the daily nutritional needs of the Vietnamese in the post-war period, has been a mainstay in Vinamilk’s product portfolio since the company took the very first steps in becoming a dairy giant way back in 1976. During this time, poverty and stagnation deferred people from essential nutrition source.

Forty-three years later, the journey of Vinamilk from pioneer of commodity goods to the most trustworthy household brand has become part of many generations. In 2018, the company gained up to 80.2% market share in such category.

With a clear grasp on the overseas markets and hands-on export experience, “Ong Tho” condensed milk has been presented and survived strongly in more than 30 countries, including ones that have the strictest safety regulations and standards such as the USA, Canada, Japan and Korea, thanks to its unique taste and diverse packaging. In order to promote exports, Vinamilk participated in 12 international fairs in APAC, Africa, and the Middle East last year.

Vinamilk has exported its products to more than 50 countries and territories since 1997 with a total turnover of over US$ 2.2 billion. It was listed in the top 50 largest dairy companies worldwide in 2018, according to Plimsoll World.

The Asian Export Awards 2019, co-presented by Singapore Business Review and Hong Kong Business, was held on 28 November at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

This year's nominations were judged by a panel consisting of Chong Cheng Yuan, Partner & Industry Lead, Industrial Manufacturing at RSM; Kuntha Chelvanathan, Partner Supply Chain and Operations at Ernst & Young Advisory Pte Ltd; James Elsom, Executive Director, Corporate Finance Advisory at Deloitte Asia Pacific; and Cheng Soon Keong, Director, Corporate Advisory Services at BDO LLP.

If you would like to join the 2020 awards and be awarded as one of the most outstanding exporters in Asia, please email Jannie Beduya at jannie@charltonmediamail.com