“Are you prepared for the baby boom for the Year of Dragon?” asked Mr Eric Chu, Mayor of New Taipei City, at a meeting to the Mayor Len Brown. “In 6 years time, there will be a problem with schools and education.”
What he raised was the Dragon Baby phenomenon in the Greater China area. While all people can thnk about is how stupid I was to mention I want a Dragon Baby, what the articles and stories was really telling was the story of Dragon Baby Boom. Yet New Zealand had no idea how this could impac them.
“A record-high value for milk powder, butter, and cheese exports led a 4.3 percent increase in the seasonally adjusted value of exports in the December 2011 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.” Said Statistics New Zealand. Radio New Zealand and Enbar in China also reported New Zealand market share for whole milk powder in China has increased to 93% last year.”
New Zealand supermarkets were forced to ration baby formula to customers to stop exporters from clearing the shelves and selling to China. Photo / NZ Herald
Zealanders are not aware of the crazy milk power shortage in China. Chinese are buying them up at supermarkets, and supermarkets have to restrict the number of milk powder customers can by. There are many one-day-deals online stores in Chin that were selling New Zealand’s milk powder, real and fake. Chinese owned souvenir shops are selling milk powder for Chinee customers to send or take back to China. There are even loistics companies who help send milk powder back to China.
What New Zealanders are unaware of, shortage of milk powder in New Zealand is only a beginning. With the expected baby boom in China, the demands for milk powder will increase. Chinese of all ages take milk powder, old and young. The demand for expecting mothers will be just as great as new born babies.
Babies needs for milk powder is not a one-year thing; but at leas 6 years. New Zealanders have not came into terms on the economic and social impact Dragon Baby Boom has. Actions and planning should start now or those who suffer are Kiwis.
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