Fonterra has officially been named the world's largest milk processor - for 2007 when it handled 2.7% of the world's milk volume.
The status was announced by research company International Comparison Network, which assessed 600 milk processors in more than 70 countries on the volume of milk processed.
Fonterra was the largest followed by Dairy Farmers of America, Nestle, Dean Foods and FrieslandCampina.
The study revealed that Fonterra produced two million tonnes of export product, with 80% of the milk used sourced in New Zealand and the balance globally.
A spokesman for the dairy company said this year Fonterra would process 18 billion litres of milk, slightly more than it did in 2007, of which 14 billion litres was sourced from New Zealand.
