US remains important market - Fonterra
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
Fonterra's manufacturing sites work to turn Fonterra farmers’ milk into products that end up in over 140 countries.
They employ 7000 people throughout the country in a range of roles from factory processors to tanker operators, food safety and quality experts and environmental managers.
So, the Best Site Cup awards at Fonterra is an event everyone looks forward to. This year, however, things were different thanks to Covid-19.
A Fonterra spokesman says teams gathered across the country to dial into the celebration last month.
“Our sites are starting to ramp back up after winter [shutdown], so it was nice to see the teams come together to celebrate the year that’s been,” he says.
“It’s been a season like no other and we’re proud of how the teams have come together during these challenging times.
“It’s nice to be able to take the time to celebrate the season and some outstanding success stories.”
Pahiatua in the Lower North Island received the Sustainability award, based on the focus they’ve had on reducing water, energy and waste. The site has the lowest water-to-milk ratio of Fonterra sites in New Zealand and they’ve reduced their water use by more than half a million litres a day through a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant.
The Darfield site took away the Best Big Site award. They’ve had a great year making progress against their goals, including the target set by the co-op last year to reduce their water use by 30% by 2030.
The Kauri site was recognised for Health and Safety. In the midst of droughts and floods in Northland, health and safety remained front of mind for the site.
Te Rapa, Hamilton, took out the Transformation award. They made improvements in a variety of areas including employee engagement, health and safety and product quality.
Dubbed the ‘Oscars of Manufacturing’, the awards are now in their 14th year. There were 14 awards up for grabs.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
OPINION: Is it the beginning of the end for Greenpeace?
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.