Chairman Rob Hewett said references and other checks were being made on the short-listed candidates, narrowed down from about 100 original applicants for the position.
Chief executive Dean Hamilton has resigned after taking up the position in November 2014 but Hewett said he would assist with the transition.
Those attracted to the role were mostly New Zealanders and most had worked off shore but there were applicants from around the world.
The extent of interest reflected that Silver Fern Farms was a substantial export business with revenue of $2.1 billion and a well capitalised balance sheet, he said.
