Fonterra Brands New Zealand has partnered with the start-up Apollo Foods to produce and distribute fruit and dairy beverages in the country.

Both the companies intend to capitalise on the growing demand for lifestyle beverages across the globe.

Fonterra Brands New Zealand managing director Leon Clement said: “As high-quality drinks play an increasingly large role in consumers’ diets around the world, New Zealand companies have a real opportunity to create value-adding initiatives across our primary industry sectors.

“By taking an innovative partnership approach to production with Apollo Foods, we have been able to open up new opportunities for future brands and create even more value for our farmers.”

Apollo Foods’ facility has been technologically upgraded and it now features a beverage filling technology, which enables the company to produce a range of containers filled with various products on one production line.

“By taking an innovative partnership approach to production with Apollo Foods, we have been able to open up new opportunities for future brands.”

The new technology will increase Apollo Foods’ capacity. The facility will be able to produce millions of litres of beverages each year and allow the two companies to become leaders in their respective categories.

Apollo Foods managing director Ross Beaton said: “I am absolutely thrilled and privileged to work with Fonterra Brands New Zealand to bring added value beverages to the global consumer; better still that we are producing it all right here in Hawke’s Bay.”

Apollo Foods’ is undertaking the production of a new look and formulation of the brand Mammoth’s flavoured milk, which contains 40% less added sugar and has a shelf life of six months.

Fonterra Brands New Zealand and Apollo intend to release their own varieties of beverages independently in New Zealand in the coming months.