Suitors line up
OPINION: As Fonterra's divestment of its Oceania and global consumer businesses progresses, clear contenders are emerging.
The A2 Milk Co more than doubled its profit to $195.7 million in the year to June 30 – over 116% ahead of the previous financial year.
The total revenue was $922.7m, a 68% increase on last year and earnings before tax were $238m, up 101% on last year.
a2 Platinum infant formula sales revenue was $724.2m, an increase of 84% on the previous year.
The company reported that sales of a2 Platinum infant formula again grew substantially in Australia and China, with continued growth in market share. The ANZ market share grew from 26% to 32% by value.
a2 Platinum remains the fastest growing infant formula brand by value in Australia, the company says.
Consumption market share by value grew to 5.1% in China.
Distribution has grown to 10,000 stores in China and 6000 stores in the US.
The company continued raising its brand awareness, expanding distribution in priority markets and adapting to new regulations in China.
Managing director and chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka says full year 2018 has been a year of change.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.
Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.