What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has met with Fonterra Chairman John Wilson for a tour of a South Auckland dairy farm and also visited the company's Te Rapa manufacturing site.
Fonterra say the visit was an opportunity for Wilson to further strengthen the company's relationship with Thailand, where it is the number one supplier of dairy ingredients.
Wilson says Fonterra was honoured to host Shinawatra and provide her, and the Thai trade delegation with a deeper understanding of their business, and the New Zealand dairy industry.
"Thailand's overall dairy consumption is still relatively low at 20kg per person per year, compared to the world average of 110kg. However, with its increasingly affluent population we expect the demand for dairy products to grow, which makes it an important country for our growth in Asia," says Wilson.
The Thai trade delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Surapong Tovichakchaikul and 20 Thai agri companies.
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New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
Opuha Dam's ability to protect South Canterbury communities from major flooding has taken a significant step forward, with Opuha Water Limited (OWL) successfully commissioning a new outlet valve capable of releasing record volumes of water from the dam ahead of a weather event.
There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's announcement on changes to freshwater farm plans that come under the Natural Environment Bill, which is now set to replace the existing RMA.
A partnership between state-owned enterprise Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Limited) and charity Meet the Need is putting more than quality New Zealand beef into food bank parcels this year.
The Opportunity Party has faced criticism during the election campaign that its policies are too urban-focused and offer little for rural communities.

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