A trade mission led by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland to China and South Korea revealed a shift in China's dairy demand towards health and nutritional products. Currently, 10% of the world's infant formula is Irish, but with a declining birthrate and aging population, the market is expected to shift away from infant formula. The demand for high-quality whey protein is expected to surpass that of casein protein due to public health concerns and increasing health awareness. This could position Ireland as a key supplier of high-value-added raw materials to China's dairy industry.