Fonterra slashes forecast milk price, again
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Fonterra chairman John Wilson says the co-op has invested $2.4 billion in additional capacity over the last three years.
While the investment has come at a cost to shareholders in terms of debt servicing, Wilson says it has provided the co-op flexibility.
Speaking at the co-op's annual meeting in Waitoa today, Wilson says the co-op's debt gearing ratio will come down to 40-45% before the end of the season.
He says the increased capability will help maintain a good milk price for farmers.
"We have added 8m litres more capacity in the last year," he says.
"It has eliminated losses at peak and offers us flexibility to grow returns from value added products."
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.
Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.