More kiwifruit to be grown overseas
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri got the go-ahead from New Zealand kiwifruit growers to increase their plantings of its fruit overseas.
Zespri is forecasting its revenue from fruit and service payments will be up $155.8 million on last year.
In its August forecast it expects those payments, excluding the loyalty premium, to reach $1.07b for the 2015-16 season.
The current forecast is an increase of $155.8m vs the $915.8m achieved in 2014-15 season. The forecast will be updated this month, then again later in the year.
The August 2015 forecast for Green of $4.87 per tray sits at the lower end of the range previously published (July range $4.80 - $5.20) and compares to $6.01 in the 2014-15 season. But orchard productivity has substantially increased, so the August 2015 forecast per hectare return is $53,841, which is close to the same record return achieved in 2014-15.
August is the first forecast when Zespri puts out tray figures to the industry rather than a range.
The August forecast for Gold orchard gate return is $7.76 per tray, which is at the mid-point of the July range of $7.60 - $7.90 vs $9.80 last year. The per hectare return is forecast at $67,378 vs $73,890 last year.
Green Organic is forecast at $6.75 per tray (July range $6.70 - $7.00) vs $7.37 last year. The per hectare return is forecast at $49,565 vs $43,996 last year. Green14 is at $6.69 per tray (July range $6.50 - $7.10) vs $7.08 last year. The forecast per hectare return is $41,040 vs $29,682 last year.
The East Coast Farming Expo is playing host to a quad of ‘female warriors’ (wahine toa) who will give an in-depth insight into the opportunities and successes the primary industries offer women.
New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is sharing simple food safety tips for Kiwis to follow over the summer.
Beef produced from cattle from New Zealand's dairy sector could provide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 48, compared to the average for beef cattle, a new study by AgResearch has found.
The Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found farmers' expectations for their own business operations had also improved, with the net reading on this measure lifting to +37% from +19% previously.
Confidence is flowing back into the farming sector on the back of higher dairy and meat prices, easing interest rates and a more farmer-friendly regulatory environment.
Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.
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