Fonterra FY26 Results: $9.69 Milk Price, $3.4bn Profit
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
Fonterra says Farm Source has delivered millions in value to more than 9000 Fonterra farmers since its launch in Methven a year ago.
Farm Source Stores director Jason Minkhorst says farmers have already earned $5.7 million in Reward Dollars through Fonterra Farm Source.
They are on track to deliver $14 million in discounts on key products by the end of this year, he says.
"Fonterra Farm Source was created to make the most of the unity and strength of our cooperative and provide a whole new level of support for our farmers. We've combined services, expertise, rewards, digital technology and financial options together with local Farm Source hubs to support the major dairying regions throughout the country," says Minkhorst.
Since its launch, Fonterra Farm Source has introduced:
· Seven new heads of cooperative affairs leading regional teams, providing better on-the-ground support to farmers
· Farm Source Stores, or Hubs, within the regions with a new level of services, deals and facilities
· A rewards programme that offers exclusive deals for Fonterra farmers
· Discounts creating significant savings for farmers on fuel, phone, power, telecoms and more
· Tools and services to help farmers manage the financial side of their businesses
· A digital platform providing access to key farming information, advice, support, products, deals and rewards online, on mobile, on demand.
Minkhorst says the numbers show Fonterra Farm Source is well placed to support farmers through unprecedented market volatility.
"Our stores have maintained very good performance in a tough environment, increasing our market share significantly.
"While global volatility has affected both our milk price and earnings, we have been able to introduce initiatives to support the co-op's farmers through this period."
Minkhorst says, in addition to the value delivered through discounts and rewards, more than 6000 farmers have benefited from Farm Source Store interest-free deferred terms, and 75% of shareholders applied for the 50 cent Cooperative Support loan.
"These initiatives give us a real point of difference and show the strength of being part of the co-operative."
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
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