The New Zealand government on Thursday welcomed the opening of a major new Fonterra dairy hub in China and thanked Chinese authorities for supporting the project.
Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew said the Fonterra Ying Hub in Ying county, Shuozhou city of Shanxi province in north China, represented a significant investment in Ying county.
"Once fully operational, the hub will farm up to 30,000 cows, of which 16,000 will be milking cows," Goodhew said in a statement.
"Across the hub's three farms, almost 400 local people have been employed and around 85 percent of the farm feed is sourced locally," she said.
The hub complemented other activity in the area that would boost local capability and the local economy.
"I would also like to express my thanks and gratitude to the Ying County local government and villagers. Without their ongoing support, this milestone would not have been achievable," said Goodhew.
