Blackmores Limited (ASX:BKL) has partnered with Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX:BGA) to develop a nutritional range of products. The first of these are infant nutrition formulas that are on sale in Australia from today. "We've developed three Australian made products, formulated with the highest quality, premium ingredients and based on the combined expertise of Blackmores and Bega's subsidiary Tatura," said Blackmores CEO, Ms Christine Holgate. "Together our companies have more than 180 years of combined experience in nutrition and dairy manufacture which is one of the key reasons our customers trust our quality and ingredients." Australian pharmacies will be the first to receive delivery of the new formulas, with the products also to be sold through established retailers in Asia including TMall. "Our initial focus is supplying Australian pharmacies so mums have quality advice from a trusted healthcare professional," said Ms Holgate. Blackmores has also bolstered their healthcare professional support in infant nutrition including the addition of a breastfeeding counsellor to their freecall advisory service. "Blackmores supports breastfeeding as optimal nutrition for babies, though it's also important to have a high quality offering for when breastfeeding is not possible," said Ms Holgate. The partnership between Blackmores and Bega will be an important additional source of supply for the Australian infant nutrition market. "We are conscious of the supply challenges in this category and the Blackmores and Tatura teams will work together to help ensure the continued supply of this range," said Ms Holgate. The products will not only supply the local market but also the considerable export opportunity in Asia, including China. Federal Minister for Trade and Investment, The Hon, Andrew Robb AO MP attended the official launch at the Blackmores Campus today: "Asia's growing middle class is becoming increasingly health-conscious; when you combine this with their preference for our clean, green, quality products, the collaboration between these two iconic Australian brands certainly creates enormous opportunity well into the future." He noted the high demand for Australian health products in Asia was a burgeoning export opportunity for Australia. "This is further enhanced by the competitive advantage our Free Trade Agreements with Asia are providing for Australian businesses; the tariff on infant formula for example has been cut twice since the FTA with China came into force in December last year, and eventually will be eliminated altogether," Mr Robb said. "There's no doubt the growing demand across Asia for Australia's world class goods and services will lead to job creation and economic growth well into the future." Blackmores Infant Nutrition range is available from blackmores.com.au and selected pharmacies nationwide.

• published: 21 Jan 2016
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