Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) is pleased to announce the official opening of the first phase of its new dairy processing plant in the Waikato region of New Zealand. This state-of-the-art facility will focus on producing dairy ingredients like whole milk powder to meet the increasing demand, particularly in the dessert, bakery, beverage, and confectionery categories.
Sandeep Jain, managing director and CEO, dairy, at ofi, expressed excitement about the expansion of dairy manufacturing capabilities at the new Tokoroa plant. This expansion will integrate with the global network, catering to major milk consumption markets in South-East Asia, China, the Middle East, and Africa.
The new plant complements ofi’s existing dairy production facility and Ingredient Excellence Centre in Johor, Malaysia, as well as the Customer Solutions Center based in Singapore. This enables ofi to co-create bespoke food and beverage solutions, enhancing its global dairy business capabilities.
“Our dairy business is well positioned to serve increased demand from our global customer base and co-create innovative applications at scale,” stated Jain.
The Tokoroa dairy ingredients are part of ofi’s wider natural ingredients portfolio, which also includes cocoa, coffee, nuts, and spices. The new facility complements ofi’s global footprint and strengthens its co-creation capabilities across the region.
The next phase of investment will see further capability added to the facility to develop high-value dairy ingredients, with a focus on generating better returns for its farmer partners.
Naval Sabri, senior vice president, dairy, at ofi, stated, “The enthusiastic response we’ve received from local farmers shows that our partnership approach and ofi’s global reputation as a leading dairy ingredients provider and innovator has struck a chord with them.”
“The dairy ingredients we’re now producing are nutritious and highly versatile with a desirable texture and flavour. They can be used in many applications from ice cream and yogurts, bakery goods and confectionery items, through to coffee, tea, and cocoa beverages,” he added.
Ofi’s new facility will also help address its customers’ innovation, traceability, and sustainable sourcing requirements, engaging those who are interested in securing high-quality ingredients from New Zealand’s milk pool.
With sustainability at its core, ofi has released its first sustainability strategy for its dairy business, Dairy Tracks, outlining the detailed approach the company is taking with its sustainability efforts.
The report shares how the company will meet industry challenges head-on, providing direct support to its farmer partners to help them become more socially and environmentally sustainable by 2030.
