To our valued shareholders,
Welcome to the second co-operative update of 2025.
This update begins with a short video message from us; Duncan Coull as your Board chair and Kelvin Wickham, chief executive.
In the video, we talk to our strategic reset and why this work is so timely for Ballance. We also share our new vision and purpose. The Ballance team is feeling re-energised and refocused by these and we hope they resonate with you all as well.
Fertiliser Outlook
Fertiliser Outlook provides you with an update on the latest factors influencing nutrient supply and global pricing. This edition covers:
- Trends in the global fertiliser market, including Chinese export control and Indian urea tenders.
- The latest on key product trends globally.
- Commentary from Shane Crean, our national procurement manager, on the global markets, and an update on how Ballance is working to maintain supply and manage these fluctuations.
Read the Fertiliser Outlook
Mount Operations proposal outcome
Since we filmed our video update, you will have received notice that consultation around the proposal to cease manufacturing single superphosphate at our Mount Maunganui site has closed and the decision has been made to move forward with that proposal, with a few modifications.
We are now beginning a process to wind down our manufacturing facilities, with a view to stopping manufacturing at the site in November. This is three months longer than the original timeframe, which gives additional supply security for this spring, as well as providing additional time to wind down the plant.
This is a significant change after nearly 70 years of manufacturing in Mount Maunganui, but the changes are ultimately necessary to align with future demand projections and set the co-operative up well for the future.
Director elections
The Ballance Board is calling for nominations for the upcoming Director Elections with two of our shareholder-elected directors retiring by rotation this year.
If you are passionate about the future of the co-operative and committed to make an active contribution to New Zealand agribusiness, we’d strongly urge you to consider standing.
Good governance requires strong diversity of skill, thoughts and backgrounds alongside sound judgement and strategic thinking. It’s important to us that our board is reflective of this.
If you haven’t already, you will soon receive information on the Director Elections in the post, so keep an eye on the letterbox.
Another way to have your say
We always value your feedback, and this has led to us making some recent changes (for example, giving you a heads up on price changes ahead of time). Now we want to hear from you again, around how we improve the service you receive from us.
You will soon receive an invitation to complete a survey that we would really appreciate your participation in. We want to make sure we strive for ways to serve you better, and there is no better way to find out than by going straight to the source.
The survey will go to all our shareholders and the more people who take the time to reply, the more robust the data will be, so we’d really encourage you to take part.
See you at the Fieldays!
We will both be at the National Fieldays this week, so we hope to see you in the Ballance tent at site E77 for a pie, coffee, soup and a chat if you’re heading along. If we don’t see you at Mystery Creek, all the best for the season ahead. As always, it’s a privilege to be your co-operative partner.
Please reach out to either of us directly anytime, via email or phone, with any questions or feedback.
Warm regards,
Duncan Coull
Chair
Duncan.coull@xtra.co.nz
027 472 7110
Kelvin Wickham
Chief Executive
Kelvin.wickham@ballance.co.nz
021 513 028