Fonterra gets help to deal with milk wave

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Government agencies have given Fonterra tankers a weight dispensation to help the dairy giant meet huge collection demand from a spring milk tsunami.

The company's tanker fleet will be able to collect an extra 1.2 million litres of milk a day for the next three months after being allowed a temporary increase in loading limits.

Managing director trade and operations Gary Romano said the operating weight of tankers will be allowed to lift from 44 tonnes to 45 tonnes until the end of the year.

"A one tonne increase ... means every tanker can collect an additional 1000 litres of milk on every run. With 450 tankers on the road during peak production, that's a big help," he said.

The wave of milk around the country is the result of some of the best weather and growing conditions Fonterra had seen in years, Romano said.

Fonterra has said some of the increased volumes will have to go into less profitable products in order for the cooperative to cope with the processing load.

- © Fairfax NZ News