It's all about economics
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.
Gold kiwifruit continues to dominate fruit exports in an otherwise challenging market, according to recent Stats NZ figures.
In the year ended November 2021, gold kiwifruit made up 47% ($1.9 billion) of total fruit export value, while green kiwifruit made up 23% ($923 million).
Stats NZ says both increases were quantity driven, with prices falling compared with a year ago. Gold kiwifruit has a traditionally higher unit price than the green variety.
Since the kiwifruit season in 2016, which is typically from March to November, gold has overtaken green in terms of value. In the 2020 season, gold kiwifruit also overtook green in terms of volume.
"While green kiwifruit continues to be in high demand, growers in New Zealand are increasingly planting gold, and now red kiwifruit, to capture greater export value in markets like China and Japan," international trade manager Alasdair Allen says.
Total fruit exports remained relatively flat, up 1.3% in the year ended November 2021 - compared with November 2020. Kiwifruit made up 71%($2.8 billion) of the total value of fruit exports, whil apples made up 21% ($843 million).
Apple exports fell 7.2% in value, with quantities down 11% this season, which traditionally ends in November.
"It's been a challenging season for apple growers, with some adverse weather events and continued labour shortages earlier in the year contributing to lower than usual output," Allen said.
A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.
It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
RaboResearch, the research arm of specialist agriculture industry banker Rabobank, sees positives for the Alliance Group in its proposed majority-stake sale to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
The ACT Party's call for a better deal on the Paris Agreement on climate change is being backed by farmer organisations.
A 50% tariff slapped by the US on goods from India last month has opened an opportunity for New Zealand wool carpets exports to North America.
OPINION: One particular bone the Hound has been gnawing on for years now is how the chattering classes want it…
OPINION: Our Aussie mates never miss a chance to put one over us, as seen in a recent op-ed by…