26 March 2014
Fonterra profit down but revenue on track to break $20 billion
Fonterra Cooperative Group’s half year results means it could be back on track to break the $20 billion revenue barrier;
corporate New Zealand’s ‘four minute mile.’
“I think the fall in operating profit will grab attention instead of where it ought to be focussed, on revenue,” says
Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.
“This is real money coming into the New Zealand economy. I mean revenue for the half-year is up 21 percent to $11.3
billion. While we’ve got close to the $20 billion barrier in the past, this time, we’ve got a real chance of breaking
it.
“That said, the declared drought in Northland along with drought-like conditions in the upper North Island could act
like a brake. We’ve also seen GlobalDairyTrade retreat in recent trading events due in part to increased volume.
“That’s to be expected since we are in a global commodity market.
“Yet what this interim result means is that every Kiwi benefits from what farmers and Fonterra does.
“Almost $7 billion dollars is spent locally by Fonterra supplier-shareholders, so it’s like a shot of adrenalin into the
bloodstream of our economy, the provinces.
“We also know that with every dollar in the payout farmer’s receive, it puts $300 into the back pocket of every man,
woman and child. If we include the dividend, a forecast $8.75 per kilogram of milksolids means we are talking thousands
of dollars.
“That’s the dairy dividend everyone has a stake in.
“Of course, the fall in profit is concerning and reflects the higher cost of milk. Profit is a direct marker for
value-add and the overall performance of the co-op as a company.
“As shareholders we need to ask questions because the dividend leaves a little bit of a sour taste in an otherwise
spectacular half year,” Mr Leferink concluded.
ENDS