New Zealand mega-dairy Fonterra has welcomed the Serious Fraud Office’s investigation into breaches of export rules by SPD, a company associated with Kiwi Dairies, which last year merged with New Zealand Dairy Group to form Fonterra.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


For a year, the Agriculture Ministry has been investigated the alleged breaches in dairy exports by SPD, but the Serious Fraud Office is now taking over the case, which is believed to involve some NZ$50m (US$24.1m) irregularities.


Fonterra itself carried out an investigation late last year which determined that export rules had been breached, but it attributed the errors to over-zealous employees and denied any evidence of improper personal gain, reported the Christchurch Press. The findings of the investigation were handed to the government.


Fonterra chairman Henry van der Heyden welcomed the investigation yesterday, saying it would allow the matter to be settled “once and for all”. He offered the Serious Fraud Office his group’s cooperation.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now