increase font size
Fonterra’s new chair John Monaghan and chief executive Miles Hurrell have some work to do to turn around the co-op’s fortunes.
A billion-dollar drop in Fonterra’s fortunes leaves the co-op vulnerable to increasing competition, says Federated Farmers Dairy president Chris Lewis.
Lewis says the $196 million net loss announced last week, compared to $745m profit in 2017, means Fonterra must retain more earnings in the coming years to shore up its balance sheet.
“Fonterra has had a lot of time to become match-fit like the All Blacks, but that hasn’t happened,” he told Rural News.
“There’s a lot of competition around for milk now; more competitors are setting up and they all have strong balance sheets. If Fonterra wants to remain the number-one choice for NZ farmers they need to pull their socks.”
Lewis notes that apart from the net loss – the first in the co-op’s 17-year history – debt has increased, with gearing ratio now at 48.4%.
He says farmer shareholders will be unhappy with the poor results.
“Shareholders don’t tolerate losses, especially when it relates to bad investments and being sued and losing court cases.” Lewis believes Fonterra must look at its investment strategy and execution, and with a new chairman and chief executive it can change strategy and execution, government relations and handling of competition.
Chief executive Miles Hurrell says that in addition to the previously reported $232m payment to Danone, and the $439m write-down of the co-op’s Beingmate investment, there were four main reasons for the poor earnings performance.
“First, forecasting is never easy but ours proved to be too optimistic.
“Second, butter prices didn’t come down as we anticipated, which impacted our sales volumes and margins.
“Third, the increase in the forecast farmgate milk price late in the season, while good for farmers, put pressure on our margins.
“And fourth, operating expenses were up in some parts of the business.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Farmers are welcoming the Government’s revised science-based biogenic methane targets for 2050.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
Spinach is NZ's favourite leafy green, according to the Department of Statistics.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
