Fonterra says a new rail link to its Darfield site is expected to carry 200,000 metric tonnes of milk powder in its first year of operation.
The seven-hundred metre line connects Darfield's distribution centre to the main trunk line, which will take the powder to Port Lyttleton for export to Asia and the Middle East.
Fonterra director John Monaghan said the Darfield plant is on track to produce 85,000 metric tonnes of milk powder for customers this season.
