Fonterra hosts NZ Prime Minister with a “East Meets West” taste

2023-07-04 09:09

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins started his visit to China on June 26, opening up a new chapter of bilateral relations after the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations last year.


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▲ New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins arrives in China on June 25.


Hipkins was accompanied by a trade delegation of prominent business figures, including the chairman of one of the largest dairy producers in the world, Fonterra. The cooperative has been involved in China for 50 years and is seeking to strengthen its strategic position in China, the world’s largest dairy import market.     


China is now New Zealand’s largest trading partner and accounts for about one-third of Fonterra’s exports.
   
“Owned by New Zealand farmers, Fonterra has benefited greatly from the healthy bilateral relationship between China and New Zealand. Over the years, the company has witnessed tremendous business growth through partnering and collaborating with local customers in the areas of nutrition, innovation and sustainability,” said Peter McBride, chairman of Fonterra and a member of the delegation.

Although the New Zealand Prime Minister’s schedule was packed with meeting Chinese leaders and attending 2023 Tianjin Davos Forum, he still made time during the trip to visit the Fonterra Application Center in Shanghai on Friday, the last day of his trip.

The reception theme at Shanghai FAC was “A Taste of China and New Zealand, Creating Goodness Together”. During his visit, the Prime Minister enjoyed innovative snacks and beverages made by Fonterra chefs with theme of “24 solar terms”, a representative of Chinese culture. This illustrated Fonterra’s constant efforts to combine high-quality New Zealand dairy products with local cuisine.

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▲ New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Fonterra Chairman Peter McBride tasting tea drinks at Fonterra’s Shanghai Application Center. 


Fonterra Application Centers bring it closer to the changing preferences of Chinese consumers. They help ensure it can develop new products that meet the local market’s needs faster and efficiently.


This demonstrates Fonterra’s confidence and commitment to the Chinese market as an industry leader in driving local innovation. Shanghai FAC is the first of its kind and complemented by another four in Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. 

“Innovation has played a vital role in Fonterra’s history and success in China, and it continues to develop innovative dairy products for use in local cuisine, such as cream cheese tea macchiatos, cheese lollipops and even cheese dumplings,” said Miles Hurrell, CEO of Fonterra.

Following the visit to Shanghai FAC, the Prime Minister attended the New Zealand Trade Mission, where Fonterra introduced Kapiti, a renowned premium specialty cheese brand from New Zealand into the Chinese market.


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▲ Fonterra introduces its renowned premium specialty cheese brand Kapiti at the New Zealand Trade Mission.


“The first visit of the New Zealand Prime Minister to China since 2019 is a symbol of the strengthening of the relationship between the two countries in the post-pandemic era. As a New Zealand company with thriving business operations in China, Fonterra believes that the visit will positively affect the bilateral economic relations between the two countries, and we are confident in the future of continuously growing in the Chinese market,” said Teh-han Chow, Fonterra Greater China CEO.


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