Australian Natural Proteins to supply pasteurized milk to Fiji
The company has been involved in securing a dairy complex in the Northern Victorian and Southern NSW Riverina Districts in Australia. With financing almost complete, the acquisition of the properties identified is now under way.
The acquisition means the company will have a combined milk production on these five farms of over 24 million liters per annum with a herd of 3,500 cows.
Expansion to butter and cheese
Once complete, the company expects to expand into Fiji with the purchase of a property or properties to initially establish a herd of 500 cattle with a planned milk output of 2.5m liters per year.
The property will also be used to build a pasteurizing and bottling plant and, as supply increases, a butter and cheese production capability. The full volume of fresh milk production initially will go direct to the consumer market in Fiji.
Fiji has a permanent population of approximately 900,000 and annual visitors of 754,000. Currently total Fijian milk production is circa eight million liters per annum through the farmer co-operative FCDCL, and the balance of the demand, which is estimated to be another 80%, is supplemented by imports.
First since 1990
Currently the local market is supplied with UHT milk, which sells in Fiji for FJ$2.60 liter ($1.26). The market is supplemented by imported UHT milk priced at FJ$3.00 to FJ$3.60 liter ($1.46 to $1.75).
Australian Natural Proteins’ farm and processing facility will supply the Fijian market with pasteurized fresh milk. The Fijian market has not had such product in commercial quantity since 1990, and the company says it expects demand from both private and commercial customers will far exceed supply.