'Grand Alliance' growing grass-fed beef exports to China
Alliance Group and Grand Farm have signed a strategic co-operation agreement with a focus on delivering more premium New Zealand grass-fed beef to Chinese consumers.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
The listed company, which relies on Synlait for its A2 infant formula supply, resolved a long-running dispute with the milk processor in August: it continues to hold a 19% stake in Synlait.
Speaking at a2MC’s annual meeting today, chair Pip Greenwood noted that more Chinese label registrations and own processing plant were critical components of the company’s supply chain transformation strategy.
“The Company continues to explore opportunities to achieve this through investment in its own supply chain and through acquisitions and commercial partnerships.
“While we do not have any new information to share with you today, I can say that we continue to make good progress in this regard and that this remains a top priority for management and the board.”
Greenwood told shareholders that the 2024 financial year was a milestone year for its China label product, following re-registration in June 2023 of its upgraded China label infant milk formula product.
“Given the positive signs we have seen including strong consumer offtake and healthy metrics, we are pleased that the transition has been successful.
“As a proud New Zealand company, we are delighted that in our largest market China, our consumers continue to highly value the A1 protein free proposition and our products’ New Zealand provenance.
“Being the pioneer of A1 protein free helps us differentiate our products in a competitive market. It is especially pleasing that in FY24 we achieved a top 5 brand position in the China infant milk formula market with our China and English label products combined.”
The company is also progressing an application for long-term US Food and Drug Administration approval to import infant milk formula into the US.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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