Editorial: Punching Above Our Weight
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says there are a lot of things happening in the co-op that don’t get mentioned.
He told the Fonterra annual general meeting in Lichfield today that the co-op launched three new divisions; paediatric ingredients, sport and active lifestyles and medical nutrition.
Hurrell says the new divisions will capitalise on the growth in these sectors.
Medical nutrition is expected to be worth $24 billion globally by 2020.
“Our focus is to help people who are ill or want to live longer healthier lives,” he says.
“As part of this, we developed a new medical drink which helps deliver quality protein to the body following an operation or chemotherapy.”
Hurrell says in March Fonterra teamed up with Foodspring, one of Europe’s fastest growing sports nutrition companies.
“They are looking for world-class dairy to support their brand and product portfolio in healthy eating, weight management and muscle-building categories, with products sold online across Europe and Asia.”
Hurrell says the new partnership enables the co-op to tap into the rapidly growing active nutrition category, currently valued at $200b.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
Blueberries have the potential to become a major horticultural export, earning up to $150 million within the next three to five years.
Twenty five secondary school students from around New Zealand recently completed a three day residential programme designed to explore career opportunities across the food and fibre production supply chain.
Conversions of sheep and beef farms to forestry have slowed, however new research from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) suggests land of value for food production remains at risk.
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