Sugar hit
OPINION: Winston Peters has described the decision to sell its brand to Lactalis and disperse the profit to its farmer shareholders as a 'short sighted sugar hit'.
Malaysia aims to become fully self-sufficient by 2025.
Currently, less than half of the country's annual consumption of milk is produced locally, while the rest is imported.
Malaysians consume about 80 million litres of milk each year, with the rate averaging an 8% growth since 2010.
The country needs at least another 30,000 cows to meet growing demand, as children are encouraged to drink fresh milk in schools.
Fonterra began operating in Malaysia in 1975 and brands such as Anlene, Anmum and Fernleaf are household names.
It also has a manufacturing facility in Kuala Lumpur.
