Tatua Cooperative Dairy in Waikato, New Zealand, is investing $85 million to double its production capacity with a new factory expansion. The project, which began in April 2024, aims to enhance production of cream-based products like sour cream and mascarpone to meet increasing domestic and international demand. Completion is expected by August 2025.
Tatua Cooperative Dairy Company, a leading farmer-owned dairy co-operative in Waikato, New Zealand, is set to significantly increase its production capacity. The company has announced an ambitious $85 million investment in a new factory expansion, aiming to double its output of cream-based products.
Tatua, renowned for producing premium dairy products like sour cream, mascarpone, and crème fraîche, currently sources its milk from 101 local farms within a 12-kilometre radius of its existing facility. Approximately 90 percent of its products are exported to major markets such as China and Japan.
Brendhan Greaney, CEO of Tatua, highlighted the importance of this expansion, noting the substantial increase in both domestic and international demand.
Greaney said. The expansion will effectively double the capacity of the company’s foods plant, which is responsible for manufacturing its cream-based consumer and food service products.
The expansion project is already underway, with construction progressing on schedule. The new facility will add around 40 staff members to the existing team of 432 employees. Greaney reported that the project is on track to be completed by August 2025, with groundworks, cranes, and precast panels already in place.
In early October, Tatua will finalize its milk price for the previous season as part of its annual financial results. The current indicative cash payout for shareholders stands at $10.20 per kilogram of milk solids.
This major expansion underscores Tatua’s commitment to meeting growing market demands and enhancing its production capabilities in the competitive dairy industry.