27th August 2026 // Rural News

Lactalis extends lead as world's largest dairy company Wool Impact and Campaign for Wool NZ merge to form New Zealand Wool Collective Maui Sheep Milk lifts payout as sector looks to expand   WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.   Apple: https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ   Lactalis extends lead as world's largest dairy company French dairy giant Lactalis has reinforced its position as the world's largest dairy company, with annual turnover exceeding forty billion US dollars — more than sixteen billion ahead of Nestlé in second place, according to Rabobank's 2026 Global Dairy Top 20 report. The gap widened significantly following Lactalis' acquisition of Fonterra's Mainland consumer business in Asia-Pacific, adding an estimated three-point-four billion US dollars to its revenue. For Fonterra, the divestment has seen it drop from seventh to tenth in the global rankings — a deliberate strategic shift toward higher-return ingredients and foodservice rather than consumer brands. Analyst Michael Harvey says the simpler portfolio is expected to generate stronger and more consistent returns for farmer-owners. The combined turnover of the world's twenty largest dairy companies rose five-point-four percent in 2025 to two-hundred-and-sixty-seven billion US dollars, with consolidation a dominant theme — including the Arla-DMK merger and FrieslandCampina's merger with Milcobel. Harvey says future industry leaders will combine scale with innovation and value-added products.   Wool Impact and Campaign for Wool NZ merge to form New Zealand Wool Collective Two of New Zealand's leading wool promotion organisations have formally merged, creating a single sector-led body to focus on growing the value of New Zealand wool for growers and industry. The New Zealand Wool Collective brings together Wool Impact and Campaign for Wool NZ, building on two years of partnership between the organisations. Chief executive Ross McIsaac says the sector has long called for one focused voice, and the merger addresses that frustration directly. The merged organisation will continue the programmes of both predecessors, while working to secure longer-term funding from the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand and Beef and Lamb New Zealand. A funding model is being developed in consultation with growers and industry. McIsaac says this is work no individual company can do on its own — the Collective will strengthen the platform the wider industry builds on, not replace the commercial work already underway.   Maui Sheep Milk lifts payout as sector looks to expand Maui Sheep Milk is lifting its average payout to seventeen-eighteen per kilogram of milk solids, as the company looks to support its eight suppliers through ongoing farm inflation and rising input costs. Chief executive Malcolm Edward says feed costs like maize grain have jumped from two-hundred-and-fifty dollars to six-hundred dollars a tonne since 2020, with production costs now running between twelve and fifteen dollars per kilogram of milk solids depending on the farm system. The company has also restructured its payment model to better reward higher production volumes, reduce transport cost cross-subsidisation and open the door to suppliers beyond its traditional Waikato base. Maui is actively seeking new suppliers for the 2027-28 season, with Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa identified as growth regions. Output is primarily exported to China for children's and adult nutrition products, where soaring demand is driving expansion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.