What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
In a world-wide first for dairy products, Chinese Government-owned China Certification and Inspection Group (CCIC) has selected NuZtri to take part in the test trial.
NuZtri says the trial will allow its dairy products to be tested in New Zealand by an accredited laboratory so that they get automatic entry across the Chinese border without any further testing.
“This will allow shipments of NuZtri dairy products to China in the certain knowledge that the products will move quickly through the Chinese border,” the company says.
“All dairy exporters currently face substantial risks with testing at the Chinese border. Often the same tests carried out in China result in a different outcome from tests done in New Zealand laboratories. “
Over time the hope is that all New Zealand dairy companies meeting these requirements will be awarded this special privilege of testing products here.
Last week the agreement signing ceremony between Nuztri (Best Health Products Ltd) and CICC was held in Christchurch.
NuZtri says the New Zealand infant formula sector has suffered much in the last few years due to the Fonterra whey protein issue and the new regulations for entering the Chinese market.
“With only nine factories now having been approved to export infant formula to China, the production volume has dropped significantly. Meanwhile, Ireland has successfully boosted its share of the Chinese infant formula market to 9% from 0% in just a few years,” it says.
