Dairy farmers have welcomed a joint venture between Warrnambool’s Midfield Group and an American dairy giant as creating confidence in the industry.
Midfield has announced it would enter into a joint venture with the Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) Dairy Asia, to help run its planned Penola, SA, plant. The Penola plant, due to begin operations in about 12 months time, was expected to produce skim milk powder, whole milk powder and products for domestic and overseas markets.
Mount Gambier, SA, dairy farmer Charles Wallis said he said the venture appeared to be positive.
“Any time anyone is going to invest in a bit of infrastructure like that, it has to be ultimately good – as long as it is going to demonstrate a clear return to the farmer, so he can be profitable,” Mr Wallis said.
LDC head of dairy platform Jean-Marc Foucher said the partnership was key to growing the company into the Oceania and Asian regions.
