First ever biofuel kiwifruit charter completed
Fresh Carriers Co. Ltd (FCC) and Zespri have completed the first ever kiwifruit charter powered by a low-emissions fuel.
Congestion at the Ports of Auckland and strikes in Australia are adding to supply chain shipping problems around the world, which in turn are affecting the shipment of New Zealand primary products to world markets.
The NZ head for the giant shipping line Hamburg Sud - a major carrier of our primary exports - says there are multiple factors in shipping delays caused by Covid-19. Simon Edwards says there is also high demand for shipping in the uncertain times.
He says his company is fully committed to servicing the NZ market and in the past nine months has increased the number of its vessels calling at our ports, to alleviate some of the supply chain congestion.
"As well as investing in increasing our container pool, we have also invested in 'extra loaders' both to evacuate low-grade containers from Ports of Auckland and alleviate depot congestion, as well as positioning empty reefer and food grade quality containers into the country to support our agricultural exports," he says.
Edwards says Hamburg Sud will continue to focus on communication with their customers to keep them informed about the current supply chain situation, here in New Zealand and in the Asia Pacific Region. He says they have also changed the way they implement vessel contingency plans with increased lead time and a higher focus on structural contingencies to empower our customers and enable them to improve their supply chain planning and cargo flows.
He says it's hard to predict how long the disruptions will continue given the complexity of the global supply system.
"But based on the current market dynamics and continued impact from Covid-19, we expect the current situation to last well into 2022."
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
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