The food group, Glanbia, has concluded agreements which bring to 9,000 tonnes the volume of dairy and nutritional ingredients being supplied by the company to China.
Also in China, Glanbia Dairy Ingredients Ireland, launched 'Avenol' a whey protein brand for the Chinese infant formula market.
The product was launched in Nanjing by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney.
The Minister said it is heartening to see a leading Irish dairy company making such positive progress in the Chinese market.
Glanbia has a long history of exporting to China and sells directly to customers from a trading base in Shanghai and is continuing to grow its presence in the region.
Since 2008 Glanbia Nutritionals also has a premix manufacturing facility in Suzhou where it manufactures a range of vitamins, minerals, and a large number of other nutraceuticals for infant formula, as well as food and supplements customers in China.
The Group generated revenue of €115m from the Asia Pacific region in 2011, where it currently employs 60 people - of which 45 are in China.
Mr Coveney said Glanbia's success in China is hugely encouraging for other Irish food businesses. He said these very significant trade agreements are indicative of the foresight of Glanbia in developing strategic business opportunities in China, and also reflect the potential for growth in a market that values the kind of exacting standards of food safety and quality that Irish dairy and other agri-food products can deliver.
