Dairy

End looming for Hong Kong formula restrictions

15-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Hong Kong is on course to lift its long-running restrictions on the export of infant formula, a senior politician has revealed.

NZ-Taiwan trade deal seals immediate elimination of tariffs

11-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

A newly signed economic agreement between New Zealand and Taiwan will see the elimination of tariffs between the two countries, initially covering Kiwi exports worth around NZ$450m (US$356m).

Infant formula deals 'may' have broken Chinese anti-monopoly laws, Biostime admits

10-Jul-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

In the midst of an investigation into the pricing practices employed by it and other infant formula manufacturers in China, Biostime has admitted that the terms of its agreements with distributors “may” have broken anti-trust laws.

Danone Dumex cuts Chinese infant formula prices by up to 20%

08-Jul-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Dumex – Danone’s infant nutrition business in Asia – has announced plans to reduce the price of its infant formula products in China by up to 20% in response to an investigation into its and other manufacturers’ pricing practices in the country.

Tetra Pak the latest multinational to hit the Chinese antitrust radar

08-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Chinese authorities have opened an investigation into international packaging giant Tetra Pak over suspicions that it had abused its dominant market role in the country. This makes Tetra Pak the latest multinational company to be targeted by regulators.

Good news all round for Australia’s dairy industry

04-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Following record opening prices for this year’s Australian dairy season, Devondale has piled on the good news by announcing the construction of a major new milk processing facility in Sydney’s western suburbs worth A$60m. 

Fonterra to double Waikato storage capacity through NZ$27m investment

02-Jul-2013

Fonterra has announced plans to plough NZ$27m ($21m) into the development of a new dry store distribution centre at its Te Rapa processing facility in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

Western Australia needs more than two freight ships to Asia, says dairy firm

27-Jun-2013 By Fiona Barry

A Western Australia dairy processor, Harvey Fresh, has called for government investment in the state’s freight networks for reliable access to booming Asian consumer markets.

Case study

Quantec sees Japan as Asian entry point for dairy bioactive compounds

27-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Much is made of New Zealand’s trade ties with China, but now a Kiwi dairy biotechnology company is now looking to break into Japan with its patented milk protein ingredients.

Synlait Milk launches expansion-funding NZ$120m public share offering

24-Jun-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

New Zealand-based infant formula manufacturer, Synlait Milk, has launched an initial public offering (IPO) of shares in the hope to raising around NZ$120m (US$93m) to fund a series of "growth initiatives."

CP Kelco starts Brazilian pectin expansion as global demand rebounds

24-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Hydrocolloid giant CP Kelco has announced the first phase in a series of projects to expand its Brazilian pectin operation by 30% to cope with rebounding demand for the ingredient.

Food safety

Chinese regulators finally get tough on infant formula manufacturers

24-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

A group of Chinese governmental agencies have united to implement tighter controls on domestic companies that manufacture infant formula.

Tetra Pak teams up with Myanmar government to boost school-age milk consumption

19-Jun-2013

Tetra Pak has teamed up with its parent company, Tetra Laval, and the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to launch a school milk programme in the hope of improving milk consumption at critical growth ages.

Asia leading the global flavoured milk charge, reveals report

11-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Seven out of the 10 biggest markets for flavoured milk are in developing countries, while nations like India will drive massive growth of the product.

Dairy looks to become Japan’s next big growth market

06-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Japan’s dairy food sector is expected to buck the otherwise weak consumer spending trend in Japan with strong growth all the way through to 2017. 

Thais urged to drink more milk to boost height, life expectancy

04-Jun-2013

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is hoping to boost the average height and life expectancy of its population through a campaign to encourage milk consumption.

Health research

Infant weight gain increases risk of adult weight-related disease

04-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Weight gain during infancy is directly linked to increased risks of obesity and other weight related conditions later in life, according to a University of study. 

Food safety

China to restructure dairy industry, target formula standards

03-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

China's cabinet has announced detailed plans to improve the quality of domestic baby milk powder in a bid to stamp out the constant food safety fears that have plagued the country.

Hong Kong recalls Australian low-fat milk over excessive bacterial count

28-May-2013

The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has ordered the recall of an Australian low-fat milk product after routine tests found a bacterial count exceeding the legal limit.

'Australian dairy producers fail to understand overseas markets'

27-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Australia’s dairy companies have failed to invest in technology and do not try hard enough to profit from international trade, Murray Goulburn’s chief executive, Gary Helou, has warned.

Nestlé quashes rumours of Punjab pull-out

21-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Nestlé India has quashed rumours that it will withdraw from its first dairy unit in the country by committing to a Rs250 crore (US$45m) expansion to the Moga plant in Punjab.

Back-again Danone prepares for China dairy threesome

20-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Danone has agreed a series of deals with Cofco, China’s largest food company, and Hong Kong-listed China Mengniu.

Dairy

Synlait considers IPO as it prepares to export a2 to China

14-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Chinese-controlled New Zealand dairy processing company Synlait Milk is considering a public listing of its shares on the NZX New Zealand main-board stock exchange.

Mengniu to become 'single largest' shareholder of China Modern Dairy through deal

13-May-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Mengniu has entered into an agreement that will see it become the single largest shareholder of China’s biggest raw milk producer, China Modern Dairy.

More arrested for smuggling infant formula than drugs - Hong Kong Customs

03-May-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

More people have been arrested for attempting to smuggle infant formula out of Hong Kong since 1 March 2013 than were detained at the border for trafficking drugs throughout the whole of last year, Hong Kong Customs has revealed.

Probiotics again linked to fat and weight loss: RCT data

30-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) may help weight loss in people with obese tendencies, says a new study from Japan.

Report shows Chinese-made formula better and cheaper than imports

29-Apr-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Chinese consumers are paying more for a lower nutritional content when they opt for foreign-made milk formula, according to a study by the China Dairy Industry Association.

Ankush at large

Kiwis must capitalise on China by developing Brand NZ

25-Apr-2013 By Ankush Chibber

The last time I went to China was last year, to visit an old friend who had moved to Shenzhen by marriage. The Chinese government might tout Shenzhen as a Tier-I city, but if your benchmark is Hong Kong, which is immediately to its south, you would probably...

China 'sparked idea' behind whey protein bakery improvers: Arla Foods Ingredients

25-Apr-2013 By Kacey Culliney

China was part of the inspiration behind the development of whey protein bakery improvers, a senior manager at Arla Foods Ingredients says.

Mengniu and China Modern Dairy cryptically deny takeover rumours

24-Apr-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

China Modern Dairy has played down rumours of a takeover by “a third party” – assumed to be Mengniu – but has confirmed that talks are ongoing with the unnamed company in regards to the “possible disposal of certain assets.”

A2C prepares first a2 infant formula shipment to China

22-Apr-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

A2 Corporation (A2C) – the New Zealand-based manufacturer of a2 fresh milk – has commenced packing of its new a2 Platinum infant formula range, and hopes to make its first shipment to formula-hungry China next month.

Chr Hansen targets dairy players with vitamin K-boosting probiotic

16-Apr-2013 By Shane STARLING

Probiotic leader Chr Hansen is targeting dairy players with an L. Lactis probiotic strain it says produces vitamin K at significant enough levels to utilise approved health claims.

Danone results get Asia baby food boost

16-Apr-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Danone reported sales growth in the first quarter of 2013 as demand for baby food in Asia boosted profits, despite continued weakness in Europe.

Opinion

Supermarkets milking the limelight in latest dairy price war battle

11-Apr-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Just as Woolworths announced in Australia this week that its third-quarter revenue had risen 2.5% largely due to increased sales of milk, its arch rival, Coles, revealed it had signed new contracts with two dairy farmer co-operatives.

Ankush at large

Drug decision could savage India-EU food free trade agreement

02-Apr-2013 By Ankush Chibber

I don’t think that there was any more talked about corporate news in India this week than the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Novartis’s appeal for a patent for its Gilvec cancer drug. 

Supermarket wars

Woolworths waiting for approval to cut out the dairy middle man

01-Apr-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Should it be given the go-ahead, a new trial in New South Wales’ Manning Valley will see a supermarket dealing directly with dairy farmers for the first time ever in Australia.

Chinese dairy safety concerns 'adversely affected' 2012 results - Mengniu

29-Mar-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Chinese dairy giant Mengniu has reported a drop in both revenue and profits for 2012 – a result it has attributed to continuing consumer concern about the quality and safety of domestically-manufactured dairy products.

Swiss infant formula recalled in Shanghai over repackaging claims

29-Mar-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Swiss infant formula manufacturer, Hero, has moved to dispel concerns about the safety of its Nutradefense brand infant formula in China after authorities in Shanghai ordered retailers to pull it from shelves.

Fonterra reports 'strong' H1 performance on back of Asia, Latam sales growth

27-Mar-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Fonterra has reported an earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) increase of more than 25% for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2013 – a result it has attributed to sales volume growth from its NZ Milk Products business, Asia, and Latin America.

Amul chief issues demands to trade minister over EU dairy negotiation

26-Mar-2013 By RJ Whitehead

The head of India’s biggest dairy co-operative has called on the commerce minister to stand up for the country during ongoing discussions with the European Union over a proposed free-trade agreement.

Increased NZ-US dairy trade would be ‘damaging’ to US sector without reforms - farming coalition

26-Mar-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Increasing Fonterra-dominated New Zealand’s access to the US dairy sector through on-going Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade talks would be “damaging” to producers and processors in the country, a coalition of farmer organisations has claimed.

Done deals

Kraft signs up with Australian cheese major for pan-Asia distribution

25-Mar-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory (WCB) and Kraft Foods Australia have announced the start of a long-term partnership under which Kraft will produce specially formulated cream cheese under WCB's Sungold brand.  

Formula like gold dust, and shortage will only get worse

07-Mar-2013 By RJ Whitehead

In just the first weekend of new regulations designed to prohibit the trafficking of infant formula out of Hong Kong, border patrols had already arrested around 45 traders.

Fonterra unveils NZ$100m UHT processing investment

27-Feb-2013 By Mark Astley

Fonterra will invest more than NZ$100m ($82.4m, €62.8m) in a new ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk and cream processing plant in New Zealand in an attempt to meet growing Asian demand for heat-treated dairy products.

DCD concerns: NZ handling of crisis was ‘textbook’ - Rabobank

21-Feb-2013 By Mark Astley

New Zealand’s handling of concerns surrounding the use of agricultural chemical dicyandiamide (DCD) was “textbook,” a Rabobank analyst has claimed.

Dairy contaminants

Fonterra DCD crisis: No positive tests since November

21-Feb-2013 By RJ Whitehead

The Ministry for Primary Industries has released the findings from extensive testing of New Zealand dairy products for dicyandiamide (DCD).

Right to reply

Fonterra: Why we need to talk about what's in our food

14-Feb-2013 By Theo Spierings, CEO of Fonterra Co-operative Group

Last week, we published a critique of Fonterra's actions during the DCD furore, which saw lengthy delays between identifying the presence of minute quantities of the chemical in the company's milk. Having requested a right to reply, Fonterra's...

Fonterra recalls CalciYum kids’ yogurt over ‘choking’ fears

13-Feb-2013 By Mark Astley

Fonterra Brands Australia is pulling batches of CalciYum yogurt from supermarket shelves across Australia over concerns that the product's “weakened” plastic cap could present a choking hazard.

UAE, Dubai granted dairy export approval – camel milk processor

12-Feb-2013 By Mark Astley

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Dubai have been granted final approval to become the first Middle Eastern country to export dairy products into the European Union (EU), one of the region’s largest camel milk producers has revealed.

Straight talk

DCD: Fonterra must learn once is unfortunate, twice is unforgivable

05-Feb-2013 By RJ Whitehead

It’s quite remarkable how Fonterra has evolved to become New Zealand’s biggest company given the way the dairy giant seems to struggle to take on board its errors of the past.