Farmer confidence dips slightly, but positivity still dominates
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Global beef trade is expected to grow steadily over the next five years, driven by increasing demand from Asia and strategic export expansions by South American countries.
That's according to a new report by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.
The new global beef trade report found that over the last five years exports had risen 14% from 2019 to nearly 13m metric tons by 2024.
Brazil and China have emerged as dominant forces in exports and imports, respectively.
Brazilian beef exports surged from 2.3m metric tons in 2019 to 3.6m metric tons in 2024, largely driven by growing market demand in China, of which Brazil provided 50% of beef imports (China accounted for 41% of Brazilian beef exports).
China overtook the US and Japan to become the world's dominant importer of beef, going from 2m to 3.5m metric tons between 2019 and 2024.
Despite the increase in volumes worldwide, the 2024 global beef trading map is not dissimilar from the 2019 map, with the main importing and exporting nations largely retaining their positions.
The report says the second half of the decade is expected to witness continued growth in global beef trade.
Grace Su, a recent optometry graduate from the University of Auckland, is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in the university's Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP).
Two farmers and two farming companies were recently convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental offending.
According to Ravensdown's most recent Market Outlook report, a combination of geopolitical movements and volatile market responses are impacting the global fertiliser landscape.
Environment Canterbury, alongside industry partners and a group of farmers, is encouraging farmers to consider composting as an environmentally friendly alternative to offal pits.
A New Zealand dairy industry leader believes the free trade deal announced with India delivers wins for the sector.
The Coalition Government will need the support of at least one opposition party to ratify the free trade deal with India.

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