Co-operative Structure
So what is a co-operative? It is a business that is owned and controlled by the people who use its services.
Co-operatives use a special form of governance. Each member has the opportunity to vote for leaders and to vote on important issues. Co-op members also share equally in the earnings of the business and any services it provides.
As a co-operative, Fonterra is owned by more than 11,000 farmer shareholders in New Zealand. These people are vitally important to our business. They supply us with milk and in turn most of our income is distributed to them in the form of a payout. This means we are accountable to our shareholders for everything we do.
