Wednesday, 04 February 2026 11:25

Birth woes

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.

The company was forced to place itself in a temporary trading halt on the Australian stock market last month, with its share price falling 12%, following the release of Chinese data indicating a larger than expected drop in the number of new births.

a2 had previously indicated its forecast growth in China would be supported by an annual growth rate in new births of between 8.5-9 million.

However, the number of new births in China fell 17% last year to under 8m - the lowest in nearly 90 years.

More like this

China No Longer Just A Commodity Story - Luxon

China remains New Zealand’s biggest market, taking $23 billion of our exports, but it’s no longer a commodity story, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Fonterra Expands China Foodservice Business with New Anchor Essence Cream

Fonterra is strengthening its foodservice presence in China with the launch of a new cream for professional bakeries at Bakery China 2026 in Shanghai.

Costly Utterances

OPINION: A costly out-of-court settlement has hit dual-listed processor a2 Milk Company.

China’s new beef tariffs expected to favour New Zealand exporters

Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact that, now more than ever, US farmers are being propped up by government welfare – a direct result of Trump’s hardline on its trading partners.

Featured

Paynes Titus Excelsior ET Wins Sire of the Season Award

Paynes Titus Excelsior ET, an LIC bull bred by Brad Payne and Claire Brodie in the Waikato, has won the JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2026 Award.

Hurst Is New Feds President

South Canterbury farmer Colin Hurst has been elected as the new president of Federated Farmers.

Dairy Exports Set to Reach $31 Billion by 2030, MPI Predicts

Dairy continues to be the mainstay of the country's primary export earnings.

China No Longer Just A Commodity Story - Luxon

China remains New Zealand’s biggest market, taking $23 billion of our exports, but it’s no longer a commodity story, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Jane Smith: Protecting Ravensdown's Co-operative Future for New Zealand Farmers

For Jane Smith, becoming a Ravensdown director has been a way she can actively contribute to something quite personal to her - protecting and strengthening a co-operative she deeply believes in.

Lactalis New Zealand Opens New Christchurch Distribution Centre

Lactalis New Zealand has opened a new distribution centre in Christchurch, marking a significant investment in the company's South Island supply chain capability.