April 12, 2013
Milk deal opens way for $25m expansion
A deal between Māori-controlled dairy processing company, Miraka, and Shanghai Pengxin, means work can now start on a $25 million plant to make UHT long life milk.
Miraka Chair, Kingi Smiler, who signed the memorandum of understanding in China this week, says the company expects to eventually get about half the milk produced on the former Crafar farms, which are managed for Shanghai Pengxin by Landcorp.
The deal should also give Miraka an outlet for its products through Shanghai Pengxin’s Chinese supermarkets.
Miraka’s existing whole milk factory at Mokai near Taupo is running at capacity and has a waiting list of potential suppliers.
Māori Trustee Jamie Tuuta, who also is a shareholder in Miraka, told Radio Waatea that Māori should be looking at China as the place to expand their businesses.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd