Stay the course despite headwinds - Spierings

Speaking at the co-op's annual meeting in Waitoa today, Spierings says the recent political developments in Europe, including the shooting down of a Russian plane overnight by Turkey, is further compounding the markets.

But he says Fonterra needs to stay the course and stay focussed on strategy.

"We look at things we are doing well and do them faster; things we are not doing well, we need to improve on," he says.

"Because these are the things we can control; we can't control the other things happening around the world."

Spierings also wants Fonterra to focus on opportunities to grow the business.

He alluded to a Chinese saying that when winds of change are blowing, some build walls while others build windows.

"I am in the camp that builds windows."

Spierings says Fonterra cannot control what's happening around the world.

"We can complain and moan but we will be wasting our energy," he says.

"We have to look at things which we can control; stay on course, stay on the strategy and keep costs under control."

He says Fonterra must continue to invest for the future.

"In the last few difficult years we have invested strongly." he says.