No easy ride for struggling sheep farmers
Stubbornly high farm input costs, a slow Chinese recovery and a flood of Australian lamb onto the global market are the main factors contributing to the tough times being faced by NZ's sheep farmers.
Gourmet apple producer Rockit Global is the latest to join a New Zealand-led collaboration in China.
And Rockit Global is hoping another NZ company — Primary Collaboration New Zealand (Shanghai) Co Ltd (PCNZ) — will increase its presence and sales in China.
Rockit says it aims to tap into PCNZ’s strength and experience in China to accelerate its business growth.
PCNZ now represents 13 NZ brands in China and has 22 staff there. Its brands are said to be growing strongly and its understanding of the China market deepening.
Rockit Global chief executive Austin Mortimer says its success in China demanded a structured approach to growing the brand.
“PCNZ and Eric Dai joined in mid-2018 and we have already seen a huge improvement in our knowledge of this dynamic market. Subsequently [Dai] has developed a clear roadmap that will see us align with key partners and achieve our goals over the next few years.”
Rockit Global joins other PCNZ clients – Anzco, Mr Apple, Bostock, Freshmax, Pamu, New Zealand King Salmon, Sealord, Silver Fern Farms, Synlait, Taharoa and Villa Maria — in collectively tackling the China market.
Over the last four years these companies have reported several successes including growing sales, deeper insights and knowledge, greater distribution reach and closer relationships with partners and customers.
PCNZ chairman Andy Borland says his company is pleased to have partnered with Rockit Global.
“PCNZ business continues to gain momentum and strength with its overall offering of great brands from NZ.”
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.