Trade Minister Tim Groser announced today that there is a consensus among World Trade Organisation members to appoint New Zealand’s WTO Ambassador, John Adank, as the new chair of the WTO Doha Round agriculture negotiations.
Mr Adank is expected to be formally elected Chair at the next meeting of the Special Session of the Committee on [...]

Fonterra last month acquired 100 per cent of rural supplies chain RD1 in a move that will provide fresh opportunities for its shareholders. With full control of the nationwide chain of 57 stores, Fonterra can now provide more in-store benefits to its shareholders. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Fonterra sold a 50 per cent stake [...]

The National Business Review (NBR) Monday reported that Ravensdown Fertiliser Co-operative has purchased specialist agricultural manufacturer C-Dax for an undisclosed sum.
C-Dax pioneered the development of, and sells, a range of innovative agricultural spreading, spraying and measuring equipment for use on farm, including the C-Dax pasture meter.
Commenting on the acquisition, Bill McLeod, chairman of Ravensdown, said [...]

Olam International announced that as at the close of the Offer on 29 June 2011, Olam received valid acceptances representing 7.60% of NZFSU shares and also purchased an additional 0.35% of NZFSU shares on the market over the Offer period. The total consideration paid by Olam for the additional NZFSU Shares is NZ$13.6 million.
Olam now [...]

The Bay Of Plenty Times Tuesday reported that Apata and Primor, two major players in the New Zealand avocado industry, have formalized a 23-year long relationship through Apata’s acquisition of a 33 per cent holding in marketer Primor.
Apata chief executive Steve Low and Primor director John Carroll said the move was a logical one, given [...]

The Commerce Commission has cleared Cavalier Wool Holdings to acquire the wool scouring assets of rival NZ Wool Services International, creating a New Zealand monopoly in the wool processing services.
Commerce Commission Chairman Mark Berry said in a statement the watchdog found that there are likely to be considerable cost savings from the rationalization of the [...]

PGG Wrightson has agreed to sell its stake in New Zealand Merino for $7.6 million in a deal it says will put the business in full control of its grower shareholders, reported the New Zealand Herald. Listed rural services firm PGG Wrightson will sell its 50 per cent stake in NZ Merino to joint venture [...]

New Zealand Wool Services International said the A $40 million offer by Cavalier Wool Holdings to buy assets from the company is premature, reported the New Zealand Herald. Wool Services International (WSI) said Cavalier Wool had made a $40 million conditional offer for all assets and liabilities of the NZAX-listed company.
WSI chairman Derek Kirke said [...]

Singapore-based Olam International has extended the offer date for NZ Farming Systems Uruguay and mopped up a few more shares in its bid for 100 per cent of the dairy farmer, reported Stuff New Zealand.
Olam has extended its takeover offer by a week to June 14 and welcomed a recommendation by independent directors that shareholders [...]

The New Zealand Herald Sunday reported that Singapore-based Olam International announced it intends to retain the business plan for NZ Farming Systems Uruguay if it succeeds in its takeover bid.
Olam is offering 70c each for all the shares it does not already hold in NZX-listed NZ Farming Systems, which was set up by PGG Wrightson [...]