Two Major NZ Dairy Deals Completed
Two major acquisitions in the New Zealand dairy sector were completed this week.
Despite being in financial doldrums, Synlait has created a five-year foodservice strategy that will target the Chinese market.
Chief executive Grant Watson says its initial focus will be on functional UHT cream sold to B2B customers who use it in finished products for out-of-home consumption at bakeries, cafes, and beverage chains.
He says butter and cream cheese are potential long-term opportunities and China’s cream market represents significant potential for Synlait.
“The total cream market exceeded 250,000 MT in 2022, and New Zealand is the leading country for cream exports, with 58% market share,” he says.
This year Synlait is launching Joyhana UHT Whipping Cream in China.
“We will keep expanding Joyhana within China, focusing on bakery/pastry and beverage chains, and access selected Southeast Asia markets in the second half of this financial year,” he says.
Commercial sales of Joyhana commenced in FY 23, and volumes will continue to ramp into FY 24. Market feedback is positive, Watson says.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks says while it's still early days in terms of the kiwifruit harvest, things are looking pretty good.
Major New Zealand fresh produce grower is tapping AI to manage weeds on one of its farms.
With arable farmers heading into the busy planting season, increasing fuel and fertiliser prices, driven by the Iranian conflict, are a daily and ongoing concern.
OPINION: After two long years of hardship, things are looking up for New Zealand red meat farmers.
OPINION: Who will replace Miles Hurrell as Fonterra's next CEO?
OPINION: Governments all over the world are dealing with the fuel crisis.