Birth woes
OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.
Gourmet apple producer Rockit Global is the latest to join a New Zealand-led collaboration in China.
And Rockit Global is hoping another NZ company — Primary Collaboration New Zealand (Shanghai) Co Ltd (PCNZ) — will increase its presence and sales in China.
Rockit says it aims to tap into PCNZ’s strength and experience in China to accelerate its business growth.
PCNZ now represents 13 NZ brands in China and has 22 staff there. Its brands are said to be growing strongly and its understanding of the China market deepening.
Rockit Global chief executive Austin Mortimer says its success in China demanded a structured approach to growing the brand.
“PCNZ and Eric Dai joined in mid-2018 and we have already seen a huge improvement in our knowledge of this dynamic market. Subsequently [Dai] has developed a clear roadmap that will see us align with key partners and achieve our goals over the next few years.”
Rockit Global joins other PCNZ clients – Anzco, Mr Apple, Bostock, Freshmax, Pamu, New Zealand King Salmon, Sealord, Silver Fern Farms, Synlait, Taharoa and Villa Maria — in collectively tackling the China market.
Over the last four years these companies have reported several successes including growing sales, deeper insights and knowledge, greater distribution reach and closer relationships with partners and customers.
PCNZ chairman Andy Borland says his company is pleased to have partnered with Rockit Global.
“PCNZ business continues to gain momentum and strength with its overall offering of great brands from NZ.”
Former Fonterra executive Alex Turnbull has been appointed CEO to lead all five Yili Oceania Business Division companies in New Zealand.
Fonterra executive René Dedoncker is leaving the co-operative later this year to lead Australian agribusiness Elders.
Alliance Group and the Southland Stags rugby team have joined forces in a partnership that will see the the meat co-operative's farmgate brand feature on players' team kits and replica jerseys.
Fonterra's plan to expand its organic programme to the South Island is being well received by farmers, the co-op says.
Voting has started for the renewal of DairyNZ's milksolids levy.
The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.

OPINION: Here w go: the election date is set for November 7 and the politicians are out of the gate…
OPINION: ECan data was released a few days ago showing Canterbury farmers have made “giant strides on environmental performance”.