Maui Milk partners with major Chinese dairy company to expand sheep milk exports
Sheep milk powder and products exporter Maui Milk is partnering with one of China’s biggest dairy players to boost its market presence.
New Zealand's newest dairy plant, making infant formula for the Chinese market, was opened yesterday.
The $220 million Yashili plant at Pokeno, north Waikato, will make 52,000 tonnes of formula. The product will be sent to China in cans and in 25kg bags.
Yashili is majority owned by China's largest dairy player Mengnui Dairy; European Dairy players Arla Foods and Danone are also shareholders.
Mengniu chief executive and chairman of Yashili International Holdings Ltd Sun Yiping attended the opening. Prime Minister John Key was the chief guest.
Yashili New Zealand begins a new chapter of Chinese offshore infrastructure development, says Yiping.
"With ever-increasing levels of urbanisation, and an increase in consumer demand for dairy products, China is the fastest growing dairy market in the world. The Mengniu-Yashili plant is creating an elite team based in New Zealand to embody a blending of cultures with an international vision and integrated ability," she says.
With food safety the utmost priority, the production plant was designed to operate under strict quality controls and testing will be conducted by AsureQuality.
Biosecurity remains the top priority for agribusiness leaders, according to KPMG's 2025 Agribusiness Agenda released last week.
Farmers are feeling more satisfied with their banks, but the situation remains fragile, says Federated Farmers.
Environment Canterbury has confirmed a surge in interest in new dairy conversions, with four effluent discharge permits for conversions granted since the start of the year.
Probably the smoothest season growers can remember. That's how Kiwifruit Growers Association (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond describes the situation with fruit picking just past its peak.
The golden weather of international trade is well and truly over, according to New Zealand's top trade negotiator.
A record $10/kgMS opening forecast milk price for the new season means more money into Fonterra farmers pockets early, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre.
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