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a2 buys Yashili Pokeno factory - plans 100+ more jobs

• Monday, August 18, 2025

The a2 Milk Company has bought Yashili New Zealand’s dairy factory in Pōkeno for $282 million and sold its stake in Mataura Valley Milk Limited to Open Country.

The announcement was made during a2’s annual financial results posting. The company intends to invest a further $100m in a multi-year capital investment programme to increase capacity and enhance capability at the new a2 Pokeno site, with plans to employ more than 100 additional people over time, a great outcome for the local commiunity.

The company highlighted several reasons for the acquisition, including greater market access to the $23 billion Chinese infant formula market. The acquisition accelerates development of its nutritional manufacturing capability. It also provides access to an A1 protein-free milk pool from Waikato for production of a2 branded products, under a long-term supply agreement with Fonterra. Fonterra confirmed a new agreement with a2 that will be unconditional once a2 completes its acquisition of Yashili’s Pōkeno site. This is expected to be on September 1, 2025.

Click below for the full story from NZ Herald.