Windfall awaits New Zealand farmers if Fonterra sells assets

Fonterra is the world’s largest dairy exporter.

Matthew Brockett

New Zealand dairy farmers could be in for a big pay day if Fonterra Cooperative Group follows through on plans to exit its global consumer businesses.

Auckland-based Fonterra, the world's largest dairy exporter, is considering turning away from branded consumer products to concentrate on making more high-value ingredients derived from New Zealand milk that it sells to other companies like Nestle, Mars and Coca Cola.