increase font size
A Chinese supermarket with prominent brands of infant formula: no sign of Fonterra’s Anmum.
Chinese dairy expert Jane Li says Fonterra’s Anmum is struggling to gain a foothold in the country’s lucrative infant formula market.
Read Fonterra's response here.
Li says despite gaining 51 formulation registrations with Chinese authorities, Fonterra’s joint venture partner Beingmate is making little headway.
“As you know, Beingmate gained 51 formulation registrations which is the greatest number of formula registrations in China. 51 formulations will make 17 brands, as each brand will have three stages. Why register so many?” says Li.
Li says Beingmate was trying to offload the brand slots in order to can infant formula on behalf of other clients at the company’s manufacturing sites in China.
“Beingmate will only keep two-three brands for themselves because they think it is impossible for them to manage more than three.
“Does Fonterra know this new direction? I honestly do not know. But I think the question should be raised with them. If they don’t know, then why not? If they do, have they told this to their farmer shareholders?”
Li and her Kiwi partner Simon Page are the brains behind the successful NZ Milk Bar corporate stores in China, operating since 2012. They also owned the Biopure Health infant formula business which they sold last year.
She is also a senior China analyst for Auckland-based World Civilisation Forum, an independent organisation “facilitating better understanding between China and the rest of the world”.
Li, who is in China this week, says Anmum is a great brand but it is failing to make inroads into the Chinese market. She blames an uncompetitive price structure and poor marketing.
“We went to a Carrefour supermarket; every big brand, such as Mead Johnson, Nestle, Abbott all have their own dedicated shelf bays, with their branding, design…. Illuma which belongs to Wyeth even has their own salesperson.
“Anmum by comparison has six tins at the end of a shelf: two tins of pregnant formula and four tins of stage 3. Stage 1 and 2 appear missing, maybe out of stock.
“All of the formulas next to Anmum are Beingmate brand. You can also see Mead Johnson’s bright branded bay in the same aisle as Anmum and Beingmate.
“This is what a lack of competiveness looks like and it illustrates the concerns Beingmate was trying to raise on lack of brand building and support compared with other major brands in the market.”
New Zealand must continue to educate Chinese consumers about the unique qualities of its red meat products and how they differ from competitors, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton.
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
Common sense and good human judgement are still a key requirement for the super highly qualified staff working at one of New Zealand's largest and most important research facilities - Fonterra's R&D Centre at Palmerston North.
Fonterra's co-op model and what it does for New Zealand has lured one of its bright stars back on board.
Alliance Group and Grand Farm have signed a strategic co-operation agreement with a focus on delivering more premium New Zealand grass-fed beef to Chinese consumers.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.
