Strong growth in farm salaries - report
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
The New Zealand wine industry is on a stronger footing to deal with the rebound in supply now that the country's wines are well established in key markets around the world, says Rabobank.
In its Wine Quarterly report released recently, Rabobank says the New Zealand wine harvest posted a new record of 345,000 tonnes in 2013.
This marks an increase of 28.5% on the very short 2012 crop and 5% higher than the prior record set in 2011. Low carryover stock levels have meant that export of 2013 Sauvignon Blanc have already commenced with 'gusto', says Rabobank senior analyst Marc Soccio.
The Rabobank report shows that wine grape production in the Southern Hemisphere appears to have been quite healthy.
Soccio says, "Nearly all major southern supply countries are set to register above-average crops for 2013; with Chile and South Africa also expected to harvest record crops, and Australia to record its largest harvest in five years".
New Zealand wine export volumes have declined by 8% in the first four months of the year as exporters have been waiting for larger volumes from the 2013 vintage to come on-stream. The value of trade fell more gently by 1.1% as significantly less wine was shipped in bulk format over the period.
North American and Asian markets remained the bright spots while declining shipments to Australia and the UK/Europe are now likely to stabilise as stock levels have been amply replenished.
Looking at the impact of currencies, Soccio says the recent gains made by the US dollar against the New Zealand dollar in recent times have "buoyed the hopes of weary wine exporters", however, the New Zealand dollar has remained more resilient than most.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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