In a statement yesterday, Silver Fern Farms chairman Rob Hewett said that with ''everything ready ahead of time'', it made sense to complete the transaction earlier than the original planned date of January 4.
''There is little merit in simply waiting. Both boards are keen to get on with the partnership and deliver on the benefits already identified,'' Mr Hewett said.
In September, Silver Fern Farms finally received the regulatory approval it needed for the joint venture to go ahead, after farmers initially gave their approval in October last year.
A group of shareholders, led by John Shrimpton, later attempted to stop the joint venture but a second vote, in August, reaffirmed farmer support for the transaction.
The final date for completion would be confirmed soon, Mr Hewett said.
Shanghai Maling would invest about $267million in cash in return for a 50% stake in Silver Fern Farms' business, to be named Silver Fern Farms Ltd.
That was above the $261million original estimate, which was subject to a net tangible asset adjustment at September 30, 2015, an adjustment for advisory costs and the cost of redeeming any rebate and supplier investment shares up until completion.
Of the $267million, $57million would reside with the co-operative, along with the co-operative's 50% shareholding in Silver Fern Farms Ltd, the statement said.
The investment was the largest single amount ever invested in New Zealand's red meat industry and it has been described as a ''game-changing'' opportunity.
Shanghai Maling, a subsidiary of state-owned food giant Bright Food Group, was the first food-processing company to list on the main board of the Shanghai stock exchange in 1997.
Red meat (pork, beef and lamb) was its major focus, making up between 80% and 90% of its business.
Its strategy was to develop value-added products and build brand recognition in China.
The company's president Wei Ping Shen and head of investment Henry Gu were in Dunedin last month.
The purpose of the trip included talking with the Silver Fern Farms board and management team about the future strategic plan, the China market, and discussing value-added products and some new products.