April 20, 2016
Extra payments as Miraka grows
Milk processing company Miraka will set its own price for the 2016/17 season starting on June 1.
The company, which is owned by Maori and overseas interests, already pays its suppliers in the central North Island 10 cents more than Fonterra for every kilogram of milk solids.
Chair Kingi Smiler says there will be an additional premium paid for suppliers who meet Te Ara Miraka farming excellence standards.
These cover things like environmental stewardship, animal welfare, people management and milk quality.
"By setting criteria and standards, overseas customers are prepared to pay for that value for products and services that both have a high quality and are looking to build and help the environment at the same time and we see this as a long term market position for our products." Mr Smiler says.
By guaranteeing its supply of quality milk Miraka is able to develop new products it can take direct to market.
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