Synlait FY26 Result: $75.4m Loss, Second-Half Profit
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
Synlait suppliers received, on average, $6.58/kgMS for their milk last season.
The Canterbury milk processor posted its annual results last week, stating the average payout was made up of a base milk price of $6.40 and an additional $0.18 in incentive payments.
For the year ending July 31 the company’s net profit jumped 10% to $82 million. Annual revenue exceeded $1 billion for the first time.
Synlait says its financial result was characterised by ongoing growth in infant nutrition volumes, strong efficiency gains and an expansion in lactoferrin capacity and resulting sales.
These three factors contribute to an increase in total gross profit of 12%.
Financial performance was supported by a sustainability agenda as the company progressed commitments made last year.
It switched on New Zealand’s first large-scale electrode boiler at its Dunsandel plant in March 2019.
“This was a key sustainability milestone for our team as we aim to radically reduce our carbon footprint by 2028,” said chief executive Leon Clement.
“Culture and community are also critical to building a healthier Synlait for our people to work in. We launched Whakapuāwai, our latest sustainability commitment in June, which gives employees an opportunity to engage with their communities, milk suppliers and iwi to make a personal contribution to environmental restoration with native trees.
“A record 43 farms were Lead With Pride certified, reaffirming our commitment to healthier farming practices. A new palm kernel expeller (PKE) free incentive was also taken up by 63 milk suppliers.”
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.