40,000 meals donated as NZFN marks fifth anniversary
The New Zealand Food Network's (NZFN) fifth birthday celebrations have been boosted by a whopping five tonne meat donation from meat processor ANZCO.
Meat processor and exporter ANZCO Foods has joined other NZ agri-sector businesses and reported a record net profit of $75m for the 2021 year.
The company says it successfully navigated the challenges of the year - including ongoing impacts of labour shortages and supply chain disruptions - to post more than twice the profit of 2020 ($35.7m) on turnover of $1.64b.
"The successful 2021 result builds on the previous two years' results with a focus on core business activities and increased investment in business systems and data analysis to ensure good decision making," says chief executive Peter Conley.
"It is important to recognise the efforts of our people who have worked incredibly hard in challenging times to deliver a strong performance across the ANZCO Foods business."
Conley says the result also reflects the company's continued focus on consumer needs and customer relationships in key markets and being able to navigate supply chain pressures occurring as a result of Covid-19.
"In addition, ANZCO Foods' focus on revenue, yields, and value-add performance, has enabled the payment of consistently high farm-gate returns during the last three years," he adds.
Conley says the company has a clear strategy to derive more value from the livestock it processes.
"This priority continues to differentiate ANZCO Foods, with our manufacturing and healthcare operations contributing strongly to the increased revenue and net profit reported for 2021."
He says the recent acquisition of the global biotechnological business Moregate Biotech, complements ANZCO's existing business Bovogen Biologicals and builds the company's capacity in the healthcare industry.
"This capability will continue to deliver value-add opportunities for ANZCO Foods."
Conley adds that with the 2022 year well underway, demand remains strong for its products, but challenges remain.
"ANZCO Foods remains committed to doing all we can to help New Zealand's recovery from Covid-19 by continuing to deliver strong returns and ensure the red meat sector remains in good heart."
2021 At A Glance
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

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