Strong demand for a2 and organic baby formula in China has created a shortage of these products on Australian supermarket shelves.
This week, Fairfax media revealed that people were buying trusted infant formula brands such as a2's Platinum-branded product, Bellamy's Organic and Karicare in bulk and reselling them online in China at a significant profit.
According to the report, the key driver was the world's biggest online shopping day, China's Singles Day, which takes place today.
On this day, Alibaba, which sells through its Tmall and Taobao Marketplace online platforms, offers big discounts on a range of products, with a focus this year on foreign brands.
Last year, $US9.3 billion worth of merchandise was purchased within 24 hours on China's Singles Day.
In response to the shortage, the a2 Milk Company has reportedly said it is considering building its own infant formula plant in Australia, or partnering with a local milk processor to produce it under contract, in order to meet the rising demand for its product.
Australian consumers are in turn calling on the supermarkets to enforce a limit on baby formula purchases.
Woolworths an eight can limit per transaction and Coles has a four can limit.
