WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Andrew Ferrier, formerly a top executive at a leading New Zealand-based dairy company, has been appointed to the Bunge Ltd. board of directors as an independent director, effective immediately.

Mr. Ferrier, who also has extensive experience in the sugar industry, is managing director of Canz Capital Ltd., a private investment company he established in 2011.

From 2003 until 2011 he was chief executive officer of Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd., an international dairy company based in Auckland, New Zealand. Fonterra operates in the United States with headquarters in Rosemont, Ill. The company has 10 joint venture manufacturing facilities, producing a range of cheese products and functional ingredients. The company also has a presence in Australia; Asia, including China; Europe; the Middle East and Africa; and Latin America.

Before joining Fonterra, Mr. Ferrier, who is 53, was president and c.e.o. of GSW Inc., a Canadian consumer durable goods manufacturer, from 2000 to 2003.

Before that, Mr. Ferrier spent 16 years in the sugar industry working in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Five of those years, from 1994 to 1999, were at Tate & Lyle, where he rose to the position of president and c.e.o. of Tate & Lyle North America Sugars Inc.

“Andrew brings significant experience as the former c.e.o.  of an international company focused on agricultural exports,” said Alberto Weisser, chairman and c.e.o., Bunge Ltd. “His success in growing businesses and market share, along with his deeply relevant operational experience in the sugar industry, will make him a valuable addition to our board.”

Mr. Ferrier has served as chairman of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the national economic development agency, since November 2012. He is a director of Orion Health Ltd., a New Zealand-based privately owned software company, and is a member of the University of Auckland Council.