Tuesday, 17 March 2020 08:55

Coronavirus impact minimal – Open Country Dairy

Written by  Staff Reporters
Open Country Dairy says it is managing its supply chain tightly. Open Country Dairy says it is managing its supply chain tightly.

The country's second-largest dairy processor says its supply chain is being managed tightly around the Covid-19 outbreak.

Covid-19 is forecast to strip more than $1.3 billion dollars off New Zealand’s primary exports in the coming year, including $390 million off dairy exports.

Open Country Dairy chief executive Steve Koekemoer says so far the outbreak hasn’t impacted demand for its products.

“Our products have continued to move relative freely into market. “Clearly, we share the concern within the industry regarding ongoing disruption with availability of containers and potential restrictions at ports going forward. 

“With us heading into the tail end of the season, we expect the short-term impact to be minor and with that are turning our focus to next season.”

Koekemoer says dairy pricing has come under pressure over the past few weeks due to the Covid-19 impact but with the limited supply due to the dry weather, OCD is maintaining its current forecast. 

OCD will hold supplier meetings later this month where farmers will be updated on the impact of coronavirus.

More like this

Covid's urban/rural divide

According to a new study from the University of Otago, there was a visible rural/urban divide in Covid-19 vaccination rates.

Covid inquiry to visit Northland

Better understanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people of Northland, and the role communities played in the pandemic response, will be the focus of a visit from the Covid-19 Inquiry, says inquiry chair Professor Tony Blakely.

Reflecting a challenging period

Damien O'Connor admits his six years in office were incredibly challenging, with Covid, droughts, floods, storms, M. bovis and volcanic eruptions to name a few.

Featured

Still a slow boat to China!

Hopes of NZ sheepmeat prices picking up anytime soon in the country's key export market of China looks highly unlikely.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter