What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
He made the comment while opening the co-op’s annual general meeting today at its Whareroa plant in Hawera.
“The co-op model first arrived in Taranaki back in 1890s and became the mainstay of the region’s dairy industry,” he says.
Taranaki has always been at the forefront of dairy innovation; the rotary cowshed was invented in the region.
New Zealand’s first dairy export is credited to a Taranaki – the first shipment of butter was sent to the UK from here.
Wilson says the country now exports on average $14 billion of dairy products every year.
