Fonterra has announced that it has started its work on the New Edendale UHT Cream Plant. Construction is officially underway at Fonterra’s new UHT cream plant at Edendale following a groundbreaking ceremony. Fonterra employees, community representatives, and local iwi celebrated the start of a project with Hokonui Rūnanga Cultural Advisor Matu Coleman-Clark blessing the site and project team before the turning of the first sod.
The new UHT plant, which will meet growing demand across Asia is scheduled to begin production in August 2026, initially delivering over 50 million liters of UHT cream annually, with plans to more than double that capacity by 2030. Seventy new roles will be created along with those generated through the construction phase.
“Starting construction marks the first chapter in a long-planned project. It’s fantastic to see all the planning and hard mahi come together, and we’re eager to watch the build take shape in the coming months. The new plant is a big investment in our future here at Edendale, and we’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact on our community as a whole as construction progresses.”
Andrew Johns, General Manager Operations, Lower South Island, Fonterra
Around 150 million dollars will be invested in the expansion of the Fonterra UHT Cream Plant which is part of the Co-operative’s strategy to grow further value by expanding its food service business in and beyond China and increasing production capacity for high-value products.
Fonterra processes over twenty billion liters of milk annually, producing a wide range of dairy products, including milk powders, butter, cheese, and specialized nutrition products. The cooperative supplies dairy ingredients to food manufacturers globally and operates well-known consumer brands like Anchor, Anmum, and Anlene. Committed to sustainability, Fonterra focuses on reducing its environmental footprint and advancing innovation in dairy production to meet global demand while supporting its farmers and local communities.