Birth woes
OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.
The world's largest dairy company, Nestle is spending $23 million to boost its ice cream business in China.
The company has opened a new production line in Tianjin to produce its popular Nestle 8Cubes brand, and is increasing its cold storage capacity in Guangzhou.
Nestle 8Cubes, available only in China, is a bite-size snack of individual ice cream cubes with a crunchy chocolate and sesame seed coating.
“This investment will enhance our ability to meet increasing consumer demand for our products,” says Ouyang Kai, vice president of Nestle Greater China region’s ice cream business unit.
“It also underlines our confidence in the long-term dynamics of the China market.”
Nestle has two ice cream factories in China, which produce Nestle brand products as well as the local brand 5Rams.
The 5Rams brand is known for its range of ice cream cones, which include flavours such as purple yam, lychee, and melon, as well as a selection of ice cream sticks in flavours including red bean, green bean and chestnut.
Nestle says it is looking to a long-term sustainable ice cream business in China.
“In the vibrant Chinese market, to expand production capacity and increase investment demonstrates our Chinese ice cream market confidence and determination, and helps us meet growing Nestle consumer needs.
“We constantly strive to meet consumers’ desire for ice cream products of high quality, innovation and safety,” the company says.
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.
Pāmu has welcomed ten new apprentices into its 2026 intake, marking the second year of a scheme designed to equip the next generation of farmers with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for a thriving career in agriculture.
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