Fonterra FY26 Results: $9.69 Milk Price, $3.4bn Profit
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
Matt Bolger, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of The University of Waikato Management School, is joining Fonterra’s management team from March next year.
He will take over as managing director co-operative affairs, replacing Mark Cronin who will lead the co-op’s potential divestment process. Cronin will remain on the co-op’s management team.
Bolger spent more than 18 years with Fonterra in a variety of roles, including general manager capital strategy and director of farmer services, as well as time leading global sales teams offshore.
He stepped into his current position at University of Waikato in 2020. He’s also chairman of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
Chief executive Miles Hurrell says that managing director co-operative affairs, Bolger will be responsible for functions including Farm Source, Global Stakeholder Affairs and Trade, Governance, Risk and Audit, Corporate Communications, Legal and Māori Strategy.
“As we implement our revised strategy, Matt’s knowledge of the co-op’s farmers, stakeholder relations experience and commercial acumen will serve him well,” says Hurrell.
Bolger completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Georgetown University in Washington DC, majoring in International Business with Minors in English and Japanese.
Cronin been with Fonterra since 2002 and has been involved in a number of key strategic projects for the co-op, including Trading Amongst Farmers, the Governance and Representation Review, the Co-operative Difference and Flexible Shareholding.
Hurrell says exploring options for the potential divestment of its consumer businesses is one of the most important projects Fonterra has undertaken and has the potential to unlock significant value for farmer shareholders and unit holders.
“As we progress this work, Mike will step away from the managing director co-operative affairs role to dedicate his time to the potential divestment. He will remain a key member of the Fonterra Management Team.
“Mike is a highly respected leader and industry figure, holding the managing director co-operative affairs role since 2014. I personally value his trusted advice and strategic leadership. He will remain with the co-op until the potential divestment process is concluded.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.

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