The Danish Dairy Board (DDB) has launched an educational campaign to raise awareness about European organic dairy in the Philippines.
The campaign, called Organic Dairy PH, which was prepared by the inter-brand organization representing dairies in Denmark that is also supported by the European Union, highlights European organic dairy and empowers consumers to make informed decisions in selecting organic dairy products.
DDB said the three-year educational campaign is timely and aligns with the growing concern among Filipino consumers about the nutritional content of their food.
“Producing high-quality dairy products involves a deep respect for the land, the animals and the consumers. It is about creating a harmonious, sustainable system that prioritizes quality without compromising on ethical standards. Through the campaign, our aim is to help consumers understand what makes organic dairy naturally good, particularly the numerous benefits it delivers to our body and the environment,” said Ejvind Pedersen, manager at the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, in a statement.
The campaign includes tasting days at leading supermarkets and grocery stores in Metro Manila where consumers sample organic dairy products until January next year and the conduct of consumer classes.
DDB said dairy products such as organic ultra-high temperature (UHT) full cream milk, organic UHT low-fat milk, organic fresh milk, organic low-fat fresh milk and organic cream cheese are produced using a holistic approach that prioritizes natural, sustainable practices.
The group said this approach also conforms to strict standards that prohibit the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified organisms to promote animal welfare and preserve biodiversity and the environment to also ensure reduced climate impact.
According to data from the National Dairy Authority, the bulk of the country’s milk and dairy products are imports reaching 595.64 million kilograms in 2022, a 13.6 percent growth from 2021’s 523.95 million kg. In terms of value, imports rose 37 percent to $1.2 billion to $1.64 billion, indicating an increase in unit import cost of 23 percent in dollar terms.
The United States was the leading source of imported dairy products in the Philippines in 2022, accounting for 33 percent of the total dairy import bill, followed by New Zealand with 27 percent, Belgium with 6 percent and Australia with 4 percent.
