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Fonterra confirms further details of Transitional Buyback

Share Buyback15 March 2023FCGConsumer Staples

16 March 2023

Fonterra confirms further details of Transitional Buyback


Alongside the release of Fonterra’s Interim Results and confirmation that Flexible Shareholding will take

effect on Tuesday 28 March, the Co-operative is today announcing further details of its on-market share

buyback programme (Transitional Buyback).


The Transitional Buyback will commence on 28 March 2023 and is expected to continue until 9 June

2023. It will replace the current $50 million buyback programme, which will end on 27 March 2023.


As previously announced, Fonterra has allocated up to $300 million for a package of liquidity support

measures. This includes the Transitional Buyback, which is aimed at supporting liquidity in the Fonterra

Shareholders’ Market (FSM) as shareholders transition to the new Flexible Shareholding capital structure,

and new market maker arrangements that are designed to support liquidity over the long term.


The Transitional Buyback will be structured in a way that gives the Co-operative capacity to buy back

shares throughout the entire 11-week period referred to above. This involves having capacity to buy

shares in each week as well as additional flexibility to accommodate different levels of liquidity across the

period.


The maximum number of Co-operative Shares that may be acquired as part of this Transitional Buyback

is 75 million. This limit has been set in accordance with section 65 of the Companies Act. It represents no

more than 5% of the shares on issue as at the date 12 months prior to the acquisition of shares, less any

other shares acquired under section 65 in the previous 12 months (including shares purchased as part of

the $50 million buyback).


Fonterra will acquire shares at prevailing market prices during the term of the Transitional Buyback. It will

only purchase shares under the Transitional Buyback where Fonterra believes the price represents value

to the Co-operative and is in the best interests of Fonterra and its shareholders. The prices at which

shares are acquired under the Transitional Buyback may not be indicative of Fonterra’s long-term view of

the value of its shares. Shareholders should seek advice from their financial advisor, accountant, lawyer

or rural professional before making any decisions about the sale or purchase of shares.


The number of shares purchased under the Transitional Buyback from time to time, and the average

price, will be notified to the NZX and ASX on the business day following the date on which those shares

are bought.


Throughout the Transitional Buyback period, Fonterra will continue to assess market conditions, its

prevailing share price, available investment opportunities and all other relevant considerations. Fonterra

reserves the right to extend, suspend without notice or terminate the buyback programme at any time.

Shares bought back will be cancelled upon acquisition, so the number of shares on issue will reduce

accordingly.


Fonterra Co-operative Group
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Fonterra’s farmer directors (and other persons to whom Fonterra’s Securities Trading Policy and Standard

apply) and their associated entities have, during Fonterra’s capital structure review process, been

restricted by Fonterra from trading Fonterra securities and units in the Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund

(Units).


As a result of the announcements by the Co-operative today, Fonterra has determined that those persons

will again be able to trade Fonterra securities and Units in accordance with Fonterra’s Securities Trading

Policy. They and their associated entities may now wish to do so – e.g., to achieve their desired

correlation between shareholding and supply for the purposes of the Co-operative’s Share Standard.


This announcement is made in accordance with FSM Listing Rule 3.12.2.


ENDS


For further information contact:


Fonterra Communications

24-hour media line

Phone: +64 21 507 072

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