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.
Cheese exports rose $763 million (35%) in the 12 months to May 2023, compared with the previous year, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
Over the same period, cheese quantities exported rose 6.9%, and the average price per kilogram rose 26%.
“Cheese has become an even more valuable export for New Zealand over the last year, reflecting the higher prices that are being experienced globally,” says international trade manager Al Allen.
Cheddar cheese made up 43% of total cheese exported or $1.3 billion and was the top category exported in the year to May 2023.
Fresh cheese (mainly mozzarella and cream cheese) made up 18% ($528 million), and grated or powdered cheese made up 15% ($456 million) of the total.
China was the leading destination for cheese exported. There was $784 million worth of cheese exported to China (26% of total cheese exports). Japan made up 18% ($530 million) of total exports and Australia made up 11% (336 million).
“There were over 70 destinations that New Zealand cheese has been exported to in the past year,” Allen says.
In terms of value, cheddar was the top cheese export to Japan ($249 million), Australia ($211 million), and Korea ($151 million) in the 12 months to May 2023, whereas the top cheese exports to China was fresh cheese ($264 million) followed by grated or powdered cheese ($238 million).
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.
OPINION: Bayer Crop Science closing its Hastings research site could be the tip of the iceberg.
OPINION: The image of regenerative farmers as kind, cuddly progressive types took a hit when one of their own took…