KiwiBrothersTM make their China debut
Zespri has unveiled the award-winning KiwiBrothersTM mascots in China for the first time to market its large kiwifruit crop.
Dairy companies are disappointed at news that the review of the China-New Zealand FTA is unlikely to result in improvement for dairy access.
The Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ) says this increases the importance of high quality and timely access improvements for dairy from the other trade negotiations currently underway.
“Despite the close relationship NZ and China enjoy, NZ dairy exports to China continue to incur over a $100 million in tariffs each year, with the safeguards regularly triggered in early January,” says DCANZ chairman Malcolm Bailey.
“Additionally NZ exporters of milk powder, cheese, and butter will be at a growing tariff disadvantage relative to Australian competitors until these safeguards end in three-five years”.
DCANZ agrees with the assessment that NZ will have the best dairy access into China of any country when dairy safeguards end in 2024.
However, five years will be a long time for NZ dairy exporters to be at a tariff-rate-driven commercial disadvantage. So it is important for NZ to advance high quality and timely access improvements for other markets.
Beyond China, dairy exports remain highly constrained in their access to many markets. DCANZ estimates that only 12% of global dairy consumption occurs in markets it would classify as open to trade.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.