increase font size
“Right now customer and supply chain management are very important for global players and that’s something that Fonterra does very well,” says Sir Henry van der Heyden.
Former Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden believes the co-operative will come out a stronger global player post-COVID-19.
He says the co-op is a great global player with solid customer networks and supply chains.
“Right now these supply chains are stretched in terms of shipping and containers.
“Their relationship with everyone in supply chains – the customer and ultimately the consumer is their strength – I think that’s going to come to the fore.”
Van der Heyden, who served as Fonterra chair from 2002 to 2012, was speaking at a webinar organised by the Rural Support Trust.
After stepping down from Fonterra, van der Heyden has served on high profile company boards. He is currently chairman of Rabobank Australia. Van der Heyden has dairy farming interests in New Zealand and Chile.
So far, Fonterra has come out of the COVID-19 largely unscathed, announcing a $300 million lift in third quarter gross profits.
The co-op says it drawing on its global supply chain and diverse product and customer base to minimise disruptions.
Van der Heyden says Fonterra will stand out even more post-COVID-19 as a global player.
“I think what they stand for will be reinforced.
“Right now customer and supply chain management are very important for global players and that’s something that Fonterra does very well.”
Van der Heyden also spoke about the New Zealand agriculture sector coming out of COVID-19 with well-earned respect. “I think coming out of COVID, the country has realised how important agriculture is from an economic sense.”
He said farmers felt like “lepers” over the last three to four years, even reluctant to tell people that they worked on the land because they were looked down upon.
“Post COVID, the country is realising that they need agriculture, they need cash flows and they need exports.”
At the same time, farmers must farm within environmental limits.
Van der Heyden says he doesn’t know of any farmer who doesn’t worry about environment and sustainability.
But he wants a balance to be found. Farmers need time to change their farming systems and everyone needs to work together to set environmental targets and find solutions.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
Celebrating 50 years in the rural landscape of Central Canterbury and beyond, Ashburton-based Carrfields, has been the exemplar for all aspects of modern agriculture via its extensive range of services including supply, growing, agronomic advice and marketing.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…
OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.
