Fonterra says advance payment support for farmers 'right thing to do' despite interest costs

Fonterra says advance payment support for farmers 'right thing to do' despite interest costs
Fiona Rotherham
By Fiona Rotherham Sept. 24 (BusinessDesk) -  Fonterra Cooperative Group chairman John Wilson said supporting the cash flows of farmer suppliers hard-hit by slumping global dairy prices was "the right thing to do" even though it was one of the factors which added 6 cents a share in interest costs in the 2015 financial year. The cooperative’s cash interest costs on funding rose $95 million to $427 million in the year ended July 31, reflecting advance payments to farmers, funding for the $755 million purchase of 18.8 percent of Shenzen-list...