Vinamilk increased capital investment to VND1,600 billion to open five milk-cow breeding farms in Tuyen Quang, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Binh Dinh, and Lam Dong provinces. In the 2014-2015 period, four more large-scale farms will be built and put into use in Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Tay Ninh provinces. — VNS Photo

At least 7.5 million kg were bought from HCM City and neighbouring provinces, an increase of 11 per cent.

The highest growth of 71 per cent was from Binh Dinh and Lam Dong provinces.

Vinamilk has purchased 60 per cent of raw fresh milk from farmers nationwide. The number of farm households delivering high quality milk will be paid more than VND14,0000 per kg. The company said these households accounted for more than 50 per cent.

Vinamilk also committed not to decrease milk purchasing and the price if the milk quality meets the company's requirement.

Vinamilk said it would help farmers ands increase the quality of raw milk.

Last year, the company bought more than 183 million kg raw fresh milk last year, an increase of 17.12 per cent compared to 2013.

Of that amount, 22 million kg raw fresh milk comes from the Northern region.

The region has seen an increase of 50.1 per cent in volume and 58.6 per cent in value.

Vinamilk said it increased capital investments from VND500 billion in 2006 to VND1,600 billion to open five milk-cow breeding farms in Tuyen Quang, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Binh Dinh, and Lam Dong provinces.

In the 2014-2015 period, four more large-scale farms will be built and put into use in Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Tay Ninh provinces.

In the 2014-2016 period, Vinamilk plans to continue to import high-grade cow breeds from Australia and the US to meet demand at new farms.

With new farms, Vinamilk's total number of cows from farms and households will increase to 100,000 by 2017 and 120,000-140,000 by 2020.

The volume of raw fresh milk is expected to increase to 1,000-1,200 tonnes per day, which would ensure supply sources for domestic production and exports.—VNS