Listen: A bright future for sheep meat?

Professor Keith Woodford. Photo / Supplied

Theo Spierings will step down as CEO of Fonterra at the end of this year and the search is on for someone to replace him.

One of New Zealand's leading agribusiness academics Professor Keith Woodford spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay about the importance of making the right choice for Fonterra's new CEO.

"I think a lot of people would be comfortable with a CEO from New Zealand...perhaps the next CEO for Fonterra doesn't necessarily have to come from a dairy background because the whole dairy scene is changing so rapidly."

Prof Woodford also comments on the meat industry, saying he sees good things in the future for sheep meat.

"I'm quite excited about the long term prospects. One of the great things about sheep meat is that we don't have a lot of competitors out there."

Prof Woodford sees opportunities for New Zealand sheep meat in China which has a large Muslim population and is suffering from degradation of its grasslands.

Beef is "a bit more complicated" says Prof Woodford as it is produced by "so many groups around the world."

Also in today's interview - Prof Woodford talks about Fonterra "missing the boat" with A2 milk.

Listen below: