The $220 million Yashili dairy factory at Pokeno.
Co-operative dairying is under serious threat in New Zealand, according to Farmers of New Zealand operations director Bill Guest.
He advised anyone doubting companies in private ownership were taking over milk processing to visit Pokeno, where Chinese firm Yashili is setting up a $220 million milk drier capable of producing
52,000 tonnes of infant formula annually.
"Pokeno makes Maungaturoto [dairy factory] look like a dog kennel," Mr Guest said.
"Talley's have consent to build a dairy factory at Moerewa, Wayne Brown is going to build an ice-cream factory at Kerikeri, the purchase of the seven Pinney farms south of Kaikohe for $42 million pending OIO approval - the Chinese are coming to Northland, we can be certain about that."
Mr Guest, of Te Kopuru, claimed legislation compelling Fonterra to supply milk to prospective competitors opened the way for rivals to get established. "Fonterra started with 96 per cent of suppliers, but is already down to below 86 per cent."
