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.
Relationships are key to opening new trading opportunities and dealing with some of the rules that countries impose that impede the free flow of trade.
Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne says their joint venture with Alliance Group will create “a dynamic industry competitor”.
Tributes have flowed following the death of former Prime Minister and political and business leader, Jim Bolger. He was 90.
A drop in methane targets announced by the Government this month has pleased farmers but there are concerns that without cross-party support, the targets would change once a Labour-led Government is voted into office.
Farmer shareholders of meat processor Alliance have voted in favour of a proposed $270 million joint venture investment by Irish company, Dawn Meats.
The former chair of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and farmer, Doug Leeder, says rural communities' biggest fear right now is the lack of long-term certainty over environmental regulations.