Fonterra’s Bold Cheese Move: Eltham Plant Expands

Fonterra has completed a major upgrade at its Eltham facility, increasing its cheese production capacity significantly with a NZ$70 million investment. This move enables the production of an additional 20,000 tonnes of cheese annually. The expansion focuses on high-demand varieties like Edam and Gouda, responding directly to mounting international demand for high-quality, natural cheese. Fonterra's strategy emphasizes adding value and targeting premium market segments, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, indicating a shift from the traditional volatility of commodity markets.This development secures the future of the Eltham site and the jobs of over 100 local employees, illustrating the positive local impacts of major agribusiness decisions. The plant upgrade includes state-of-the-art automated technology, enabling consistent high-quality production and efficient processing for global export.