Formula goes sour
OPINION: Media reports say global recalls tied to cereulide toxin contamination in milk-based nutrition brands could inflict combined financial losses exceeding $1 billion.
Danone has been cleared by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) to take an indirect shareholding of up to 65% in Yashili New Zealand.
Danone currently has an indirect shareholding of about 30% in Yashili NZ.
The application was made by Danone Asia Pacific which is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of global food and beverage company Danone SA. The French listed company has a 44% US public shareholding.
Yashili NZ operates a dairy production plant in Pokeno, Waikato. The OIO says the land is not considered sensitive under the Overseas Investment Act.
“The applicant has satisfied the OIO that the individuals who will control the investment have the relevant business experience and acumen and are of good character,” the OIO says in its decision.
“The applicant has also demonstrated financial commitment to the investment.”
Yashili NZ Dairy, a joint venture between Yashili and Mengnui established in 2012, has $220 million invested in its dairy plant in Pokeno. It has capacity to produce 52,000 tonnes a year of infant formula.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.