Thursday, 21 September 2023 08:53

$8.22/kgMS final milk price for Fonterra farmers

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Fonterra's final 2022-23 season farmgate milk price is $8.22/kgMS. Fonterra's final 2022-23 season farmgate milk price is $8.22/kgMS.

Fonterra has announced a final 2022-23 season farmgate milk price of $8.22/kgMS and a full-year dividend of 50c.

This comes on the back of net profit of $1.6 billion and full year reported earnings of 95c/share.

The co-operative’s opening forecast farmgate milk price range for 2022/23 season was set at $8.25 - $9.75/kgMS, with a midpoint of $9/kgMS. However, falls in global dairy prices over the past 15 months forced Fonterra to revise its forecast milk price.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the co-op has delivered strong earnings and made progress against key strategic initiatives in FY23, however this has been against the backdrop of a farmgate milk price that has dropped across the season.

“Our 2022/23 season farmgate milk price was impacted by reduced demand for whole milk powder from key importing regions. As the financial year progressed, we saw Global Dairy Trade prices drop, with the average whole milk powder price down 16% compared to last season.

“We recognise the impact the reduced farmgate milk price has on farmers’ businesses and have utilised our strong balance sheet to introduce a new Advance Rate Schedule guideline to assist on-farm cash flow.

“However, we’re pleased to be announcing a strong full year dividend of 50 cents per share – comprising an interim dividend of 10 cents per share and a final dividend of 40 cents per share.”

In addition, the co-op returned tax free 50c/share to shareholders and unit holders in August, following the divestment of Soprole.

This gives a final cash pay-out to farmers of $9.22/kgMS for a share backed farmer, Hurrell notes.

Hurrell says its 2023 performance demonstrates that it is focusing on the right strategic priorities.

“This said, we are aware that there are challenging conditions on the ground for many of our farmers,” says Hurrell.

Fonterra’s reported profit after tax of $1,577 million was up $994 million. Excluding the net gain from divestments of $248 million, normalised profit after tax was $1,329 million, up $738 million compared to the same time last year. This includes the impact of impairments and is equivalent to 80 cents per share.

Hurrell says there were several key drivers that helped Fonterra deliver this result, including favourable margins in ingredients channel, in particular the cheese and protein portfolios.

“We also saw improved performance in our Foodservice channel due to increased product pricing and higher demand as Greater China’s lockdown restrictions started to ease from the start of calendar year 2023.

“Further, across the second half, the operating performance of our Consumer channel strengthened due to improved pricing. However, we adjusted the long-term outlook for our Asia Brands and Fonterra Brands New Zealand business, resulting in full year impairments of $101 million and $121 million respectively.

"We also recognised a gain on sale from our Chilean Soprole business of $260 million during the year,” says Hurrell.

More like this

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

LCAs tackle false narratives

The quest to measure, report and make sense of the energy that goes into food production has come a long way in the past 25 years.

$3b windfall?

Fonterra's proposed sale of its global consumer business could fetch over $3 billion but not all proceeds will end up in the pockets of farmer shareholders.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

Editorial: Keep FTAs coming

OPINION: The dairy industry will  be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

National

Organic sector backtracks on GE

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) says the Government’s new gene editing and genetic modification reforms could leave New Zealand as…

$3b windfall?

Fonterra's proposed sale of its global consumer business could fetch over $3 billion but not all proceeds will end up…

Machinery & Products

Milk Sustainability Centre launched

The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De…

Data connection made easier

New Holland and Case IH are introducing new advancements in their precision technology stack to make farming easier and more…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter