Fonterra’s Darfield site in Canterbury has set new records this season, increasing its production capacity of cream cheese from 24,000 to 30,000 tonnes per year through operational improvements including the use of new process technologies.
The site, a key part of the Co-op’s dairy operations, is now able to produce an average of over 270,000 tonnes annually of cream cheese and milk powder.
This milestone comes as demand for Fonterra’s cream cheese continues to surge, particularly across the Asian region with significant volumes being shipped to China, Japan and Southeast Asia. The demand is a result of an expanding middle class and growing appetite for fusion bakery and beverage products in the region.
Fonterra’s cream cheese has become a staple ingredient in a range of popular items across the region with the versatility of the cream cheese making it highly sought after for a range of applications:
- Traditional pastries like mooncakes are being reinvented with cream cheese fillings
- Tea macchiatos featuring a distinctive whipped cream cheese topping are trending across the region
- Cheesecakes and innovative treats like cheese lollipops are gaining popularity
- Seasonal specialties such as strawberry cakes and cheese-based milk tea are particularly sought after during Chinese New Year celebrations
Darfield Site Manager Blake Aston says the achievement demonstrates the site’s ability to meet growing market demands while setting new benchmarks.
One of Darfield’s key strengths lies in its cutting-edge technology, which allows the team to customise the firmness and consistency of cream cheese to meet specific customer requirements. This flexibility ensures their products meet the high standards required for both bakery items and beverages.
As one of only two Fonterra sites in New Zealand producing cream cheese – alongside the Te Rapa site in Waikato – Darfield distributes its cream cheese to bakeries, restaurants, catering businesses, and tea shops across Asia, with a portion allocated for processed cheese products.
With the continuing rise in demand for the Co-op’s cream cheese in key Asian regions, the team at Darfield take pride in knowing that their cream cheese is making its way into some of the most vibrant food markets in the world.
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