Fonterra Expands China Foodservice Business with New Anchor Essence Cream
Fonterra is strengthening its foodservice presence in China with the launch of a new cream for professional bakeries at Bakery China 2026 in Shanghai.
Beingmate is very close to appointing a chief executive officer, says Fonterra’s chief executive Theo Spierings.
Fonterra views this as the biggest step required at present, he says.
According to Spierings there is a mandate to execute a transformation plan and Beingmate returned a very small profit -- which includes a government grant.
“There was pressure on turnover because the market is coming out of new regulations; there is turnover pressure but a small profit,” he says.
All recommended directors were appointed at the annual meeting, “so a very calm and stable reappointment process of directors”.
Fonterra’s formula product Anmum had strong development in pilots in two cities in the first three years of the partnership. Anmum is an important pillar of the Beingmate business right now, Spierings says.
They are clearly on a pathway to a $100 million target in consumer products in year three. But cashflow and liquidity had an impact over the last couple of the months.
Spierings says it is “important that there is cash to the people buying and growing the Anmum business”.
Fonterra has written down $405 million in its Beingmate business.
“Clearly this outcome is unacceptable to our shareholders,” the co-op says in the report.
“The recovery of the value of this investment is the number-one immediate priority for the chief executive and management team.
“As an 18.8% shareholder, we do not have direct control over the company. But we are working to influence its direction and continue to call for an urgent business transformation through our relationship with Beingmate’s founder and majority shareholder.
“The board (Fonterra’s) has a working group – that includes independent directors Simon Israel and Clinton Dines – who both have significant China experience and expertise – to provide guidance and oversight to management as they work to recover the investment.”
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.

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