Co-op boosts chilled exports to China
Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.
Online sales via Alliance Group’s online red meat delivery channel puresouthshop.com have grown significantly during the Covid-19 alert level restrictions.
“Online orders have surged and monthly turnover has more than tripled despite the disrupted supply chain and challenges in place during lockdown,” says John Skurr, Alliance’s general manager New Zealand sales.
He says that online sales have grown over the past year, but they accelerated over the latest lockdown.
“Research shows that New Zealanders are increasingly focusing on health and nutrition when it comes to protein, and the healthy attributes of our premium lamb, beef and venison ranges mean we’re well-positioned in this space.”
Skurr says the online store is receiving positive feedback from customers across New Zealand who are enjoying the ease of purchase and fast delivery.
“In addition to the work our national sales team have done to build our brand with distributors and retailers, we have invested in our online presence, and this is clearly playing dividends.
“Through innovative online marketing and targeted direct mail initiatives, we have increased our database considerably over the last 12 months. This has meant we have been able to support customers with targeted offers, including family friendly boxes,” Skurr says.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.