Red meat industry hails new migrant visa rules as win for jobs and exports
New Zealand's red meat processing and exporting sector has welcomed the government's announcement of new work visas.
New Zealand red meat exports remained steady in April with a total of $863 million worth of meat and co-products exported to global markets.
According to analysis from the Meat Industry Association (MIA), the overall April export figures show an increase on April 2020 levels.
"We are seeing healthy signs that trade is returning to more regular pre-COVID 19 patterns alongside the ongoing strong demand from China as African Swine Fever drives a growing demand for protein such as beef and lamb," says MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva.
There were significant increases in the value of exports of chilled meat in April 2021 compared to April 2020, with sheepmeat up 20% to $65 million and beef up 48% to $45 million.
"These levels are similar to the pre-COVID-19 levels of April 2019, indicating that some of the pandemic-related disruptions that saw a reasonably large drop in chilled exports in April 2020 are starting to resolve," Karapeeva adds.
However, while meat exports were steady compared to a year ago, the current supply chain disruptions continue to put significant strain on all exporters, including the meat industry.
"Along with irregular shipping services and unreliable timetables, there's pressure on cold storage facilities and container parks. All of this means costs are rising at every stage of the supply chain.
"These issues have been raised with the Government by the Council of Cargo Owners, which represents the interests of New Zealand exporters and importers and we're seeking discussions around an urgent solution."
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.