The Prime Minister visits Fonterra’s Shanghai Application Centre
As part of a state visit to China, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins, visited our Fonterra Application Centre (FAC) in Shanghai.
It was a great opportunity to demonstrate the innovative ways New Zealand dairy is used in Greater China Foodservice.
Accompanied by Trade and Export Growth Minister, Damien O’Connor, Ambassador Grahame Morton, Consul General Ardi Barnard, and a handful of New Zealand journalists, the Prime Minister was excited about what he saw – Kiwi innovation in action.
The Shanghai FAC provides a well-equipped space for customers to learn about different ways they can use our dairy. Customers visit the centre, where expert chefs demonstrate, either in-person or virtually, how Fonterra products, such as whipping cream or cream cheese, perform in different applications like cakes or beverages.
Teh-han Chow, Fonterra’s CEO of Greater China, welcomed the guests, before Peter McBride, Fonterra Chairman, said a few words about key role FACs play in the success of Greater China Foodservice.
Foodservice was performing well, Peter said, emphasising that it was a high-value channel for Kiwi farmers’ milk and a key part of the Co-op’s long-term strategy.
“China is an incredibly dynamic and exciting market and one that is strategically important to Fonterra. Dairy continues to be used in more applications in China and often in more innovative ways than in New Zealand.”
The Prime Minister and Peter then got behind the beverage counter and mixed up some drinks with the help of our expert Anchor Food Professional chefs.
China is an incredibly dynamic and exciting market and one that is strategically important to Fonterra. Dairy continues to be used in more applications in China and often in more innovative ways than in New Zealand.
Teh-han reiterated the importance of the Prime Minister’s visit. “We were able to show how Fonterra brings dairy ingredients to life, through tasty applications for our customers and consumers.”
The Shanghai FAC is the Co-op’s first, established in 2014. There are four other application centres in China – Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and newly-opened Shenzhen. Each centre is equipped to demonstrate bakery and beverage applications.