China No Longer Just A Commodity Story - Luxon
China remains New Zealand’s biggest market, taking $23 billion of our exports, but it’s no longer a commodity story, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
A2 CORPORATION (A2C) and its China distributor partner China State Farm Holding Shanghai Company (CSF) has hosted the official launch ceremony for a2 Platinum infant formula in China.
It was held in the press room of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square.
A2C managing director Geoffrey Babidge says: "The launch was the start of another exciting new chapter for A2C and a2 brand products. A2C owns and commericalises a unique portfolio of intellectual property and the official launch today of a2 Platinum infant formula in China is a crucial step to provide Chinese mothers access to our products."
The launch event included a scientific panel discussion with key medical professionals specialising in infant and child care. The panel highlighted the benefits of dairy based products containing only the A2 version of the beta casein protein can provide to all people, in particular infants.
Babidge went on to say: "a2 Platinum infant formula is also available throughout Australia and New Zealand as part of a coordinated launch. a2 Platinum infant formula contains only the A2 form of the beta casein protein, which is structurally more comparable to that which mothers naturally produce."
The chairman of CSF Agribusiness Group, Li Ya Cheng says "a2 Platinum infant formula expands the range of premium agricultural and aquaculture products CSF distributes throughout China. We are confident consumers will recognise the unique benefits of the a2 proposition and CSF will achieve significant distribution throughout China."
The planned roll-out in China will initially include high end baby maternity outlets in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and East China before progressively expanding to further major cities plus Hong Kong and Macau.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
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.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.