Plant-based bubble bursts
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird Ventures, and its products are no longer available in supermarkets.
Listed New Zealand company the a2 Milk Company - once a darling of the stock exchange - is the subject of takeover rumours.
Australian media reports that the world's largest dairy company Nestlé is eyeing the underfire manufacturer of A2-protein milk.
a2 Milk's market capitalisation had fallen from $16.1 billion to $4.7b over the past year. As the pandemic distrupted sales of its infant formula to Chinese consumers through the daigou channel, falling infant births in China and excess supply of its products also curbed consumer demand. The company had struggled to get on top of these challenges which resulting in it downgrading its earnings guidance four times in nine months.
The takeover rumour though has boosted the share price.
OPINION: The Government's recent announcement that methane targets will be reviewed is bringing relief to farmers.
The merger of two of the country’s largest animal nutrition companies won’t lessen competition, the Commerce Commission has ruled.
Zespri has unveiled the award-winning KiwiBrothersTM mascots in China for the first time to market its large kiwifruit crop.
Japanese consumers pay a premium for food that contains ingredients that support health.
In a few weeks the winner of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori dairy farm will be revealed at a gala dinner in Hamilton. In the past couple of weeks, the two finalists in this year’s competition have been holding on-farm field days to showcase why they are finalists. Peter Burke has attended both field days.
The long-running New Zealand Agricultural Show won’t take place this year as cash-strapped organisers mull the event’s future.