Anchor is a prominent New Zealand dairy brand widely recognized for its range of milk, butter, cheese, cream, and milk powder products. Founded in 1886, the company has evolved from a local butter producer into one of the world’s most recognizable dairy brands, with products available in more than 80 countries. In Singapore, Anchor maintains a presence through major supermarkets, grocery stores, and online marketplaces.

Anchor was established by Henry Reynolds, an English immigrant who settled in New Zealand. During the 1880s, Reynolds constructed a dairy factory in Waikato, dedicated to producing high-quality butter from locally sourced milk.

The brand’s iconic logo draws inspiration from the anchor tattoo found on the arm of one of Reynolds’ workers, often described as a sailor or farm hand. The anchor symbol was chosen to represent strength, safety, and reliability—qualities that Reynolds intended to associate with his butter products.

Early Milestones

• 1886 – The Anchor brand is officially established.
• 1888 – Anchor butter wins a Gold Medal at the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, helping to cement its reputation for quality.
• 1896 – Reynolds sells Anchor to the New Zealand Dairy Association.
• 1901 – Anchor expands its operations to include milk powder production.
• 1920s – Anchor becomes one of the leading exporters of butter to the United Kingdom.
• 2001 – The New Zealand Dairy Group merges to form Fonterra Co-operative Group, integrating Anchor into Fonterra’s portfolio.

For many years, Anchor served as one of the flagship consumer brands of Fonterra Co-operative Group, New Zealand’s farmer-owned dairy cooperative.

In 2026, Fonterra completed the sale of its global consumer business—including the Anchor brand in numerous markets—to the French dairy giant Lactalis. This transaction allowed Fonterra to focus on other parts of its business, specifically dairy ingredients and foodservice. It is noted that ownership structures and branding arrangements may vary depending on the region. 1

Anchor positions dairy as a fundamental source of everyday nutrition. The brand emphasizes:

• Natural dairy goodness
• High-quality New Zealand milk
• Care throughout the entire production process
• Nutrition suitable for families
• Long-standing expertise in dairy production

The global slogan reflects the core idea that “goodness feeds greatness.”

Anchor offers a diverse portfolio comprising more than 160 dairy products, though specific availability varies by country.

Milk Products

• Full Cream Milk Powder
• Instant Full Cream Milk Powder
• Fresh Milk
• UHT Milk
• Low-fat Milk
• Skim Milk

Butter

Anchor butter remains one of the brand’s most iconic offerings and continues to be a leading export from New Zealand. Varieties include:

• Salted Butter
• Unsalted Butter
• Spreadable Butter

Cheese

The brand produces a wide array of cheeses, including:

• Cheddar
• Mozzarella
• Processed Cheese
• Sliced Cheese
• Cream Cheese

Cream

• Whipping Cream
• Cooking Cream
• Fresh Cream

Foodservice Products

Anchor supplies bakeries, restaurants, cafés, hotels, and food manufacturers with essential dairy ingredients, including butter, cream, cheese, and milk powders. 3

Anchor sources its milk primarily from dairy farms in New Zealand. Historically, the brand has emphasized the use of milk from pasture-raised cows and maintained vertically integrated quality control measures from the farm level to the finished product.

Anchor adheres to several strict quality principles:

• Farm-to-table quality management
• Rigorous dairy processing standards
• Complete product traceability
• Compliance with international food safety regulations
• Continuous innovation in dairy production

The company refers to this holistic commitment as “Care at Every Step.”

Anchor products are distributed across various regions, including:

• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Indonesia
• China
• South Korea
• Middle East
• Pacific Islands
• Sri Lanka
• Various other international markets

The exact lineup of products differs according to regional preferences and regulations. 2

Key attributes associated with the Anchor brand include:

• Over 135 years of dairy heritage
• Authentic New Zealand origin
• Extensive international distribution network
• A broad and versatile portfolio of dairy products
• Strong presence in both retail and foodservice sectors

• The Anchor logo is believed to have been inspired by an anchor tattoo seen on one of Henry Reynolds’ workers.
• Anchor butter was among New Zealand’s earliest internationally recognized dairy exports.
• The brand has expanded significantly from a single butter product to a comprehensive portfolio of over 160 dairy products sold worldwide.

1. New Zealand’s Fonterra to sell consumer business to Lactalis for $2.2 billion
2. Our Brands
3. High Performance Dairy Products – Anchor Food Professionals