Battle for milk
OPINION: Fonterra may be on the verge of selling its consumer business in New Zealand, but the co-operative is not keen on giving any ground to its competitors in the country.
The co-op’s group director global external affairs Simon Tucker says they are working to fully understand and assess the exact implications of new tariffs announced today.
As part of his much touted ‘Liberation Day’ announcement, President Donald Trump announced far-reaching new tariffs on nearly all US trading partners — a 34% tax on imports from China and 20% on the European Union, among others. All New Zealand and Australian imports will now attract a 10% tariff.
Fonterra is a key ingredient supplier to some of the US’ largest ready-to-drink product makers. This includes Premier Nutrition Company, owners of Premier Protein, the number one brand in the US ready-to-drink category. The new tariff means additional costs across the supply chain and ultimately, a higher price for US consumers.
Tucker says Fonterra wants to avoid tariffs in all its markets.
“Obviously, we always want to avoid any increases in tariffs or other trade barriers across all the markets we operate in.
“Tariffs and other trade barriers create additional costs across the supply chain, which are ultimately borne by local consumers.
“Fonterra has a long history of navigating difficult and protected trade environments, and we will continue to do so during the period ahead.”
