Editorial: Support, don't stifle farmers
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
There has been much commentary about China with concerns about how Covid lockdowns there have dented consumer confidence, driving down consumer spending.
But a recent report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) predicts that the Chinese market will recover later this year - a view backed up by major exporters. It would also seem that the recent NZ trade mission to China has breathed new optimism into the market.
Speaking at the recent Federated Farmers annual conference, the Minister Counsellor Trade for the Chinese Embassy in NZ, Chen Zhiyang, spoke positively about the recent trade mission saying the outcomes were good news for NZ farmers and Chinese consumers. He went on to say that there is potential for expansion and cooperation in the area of primary products.
"NZ products, especially primary products, are very popular in the China market because they have the reputation of being 100% pure and of very high quality," he says.
Zhiyang says trade had brought tangible benefits between the two countries.
Meanwhile, PM Chris Hipkins discussed his recent trade mission to China and was clearly ecstatic about the way the trip had gone. He said relations between the two countries were excellent and - most importantly - the business-to-business relationship is thriving and has the potential to grow even more.
Hipkins says there are 1.4 billion consumers in China and one of their government's objectives is to double the number of middle-income earners over the next decade meaning more consumers looking for the quality produce and products NZ has to offer.
"There is nothing quite like going into a supermarket somewhere in the world, such as China, and seeing so many NZ products on display - whether it is kiwifruit or beef or lamb or some of the manufactured products. It was a bit of a buzz for me as the Prime Minister."
Hipkins says one take-home message for him was the importance of NZ's clean, green, sustainable reputation when it comes to growing our export market share. He says our international reputation is critical to continuing to expand our export opportunities.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…