Changing global trade ties
OPINION: I recently returned from a market visit overseas, including the United Kingdom and Europe. These are critical, historically important and increasingly high value markets for our red meat exports.
The New Zealand onion industry has welcomed the recent signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU).
It says the agreement will see the elimination of tariffs worth over $6 million annually on NZ onion exports to the EU and has also addressed technical barriers to trade.
"The EU is the number one market for New Zealand onion exports. Tariff savings of 9.6% puts the New Zealand onion industry on a level footing with competitors such as Chile and South Africa," Onions New Zealand chief executive, James Kuperus says.
He thanked the officials in New Zealand and the EU for supporting export industries like onions, which play a key role in regional economies across New Zealand.
Kuperus says onion growers from South Auckland to Canterbury will benefit from this FTA.
"It is now important that the New Zealand Government, post-election, passes the necessary legislation to bring this FTA into effect so producers and exporters can make use of it next season."
Kuperus says the agreement is even more important given the extremely difficult season onion producers have had in the North Island.
In the year to March 2023, the New Zealand onion industry exported $143 million worth of onions to 45 countries and employed 1,050 people.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride expects a strong mandate from farmers shareholders for the proposed sale of its consumer and related businesses to Lactalis for $3.8 billion.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the sale of the co-op’s consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis represents a great outcome for the co-op.
The world’s largest milk company Lactalis has won the bid for Fonterra’s global consumer and associated businesses.
Fonterra has increased its 2024/25 forecast Farmgate Milk Price from $10/kgMS to $10.15/kgMS.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
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