Make it 1000%!
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.
Alliance says China is key to any stability in the lamb market.
"Prices look like they have settled but demand for volume remains subdued as consumption is slow to reach pre-Covid-19 levels. The China ripple effect, compounded by ongoing record volumes out of Australia at levels significantly lower than New Zealand, is continuing to undermine New Zealand prices."
Meanwhile, the company says mutton markets remain weak on the back of low demand from China.
"We are continuing to pursue diversified options into Taiwan, Malaysia, and North America but negative market sentiment remains. Large mutton volumes out of Australia continue to disrupt all markets."
On the venison front, Alliance says that game season negotiations have concluded with prices marginally improved on last season.
"Demand is strong for the key five week production period that covers September-early October shipments. Manufacturing items such as trim remain challenging."
In beef markets, the meat processor and exporter again points to China, where it says there have been fluctuations in wholesale pricing as importers continue to search for value.
"The North American market is stable with prices slightly improving in the last few weeks," Alliance adds. "Importers are more proactive in positioning themselves to purchase volume from New Zealand."
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
Northlanders scooped the pool at this year's prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards - winning both the main competition and the young Maori farmer award.
Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.
The days of rising on-farm inflation and subdued farmgate prices are coming to an end for farmers, helping lift confidence.
A blockbuster year and an exciting performance: that's how Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith is describing the massive upsurge in the fortunes of the primary sector exports for the year ended June 2025.
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