India–New Zealand FTA talks continue in Delhi as officials pursue trade breakthrough
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri got the go-ahead from New Zealand kiwifruit growers to increase their plantings of its fruit overseas.
The new arrangements will see up to 420 additional hectares of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit per year over six years planted in Italy, France, Japan, South Korea and Greece starting next year. Kiwifruit plantings are already licensed by Zespri in several countries because it allows NZ kiwifruit to be available year round and fill a gap when NZ fruit is not available
Regulations required Zespri to get at least 75% support from growers to increase its overseas plantings. A vote was taken and an overwhelming 90.6% of kiwifruit growers supported the move. The voter turnout was 72.21%.
In the past, growers had rejected such a proposal, but this time the kiwifruit growers organisation NZKGI openly backed the Zespri move, with chief executive Colin Bond saying it makes sense that NZ should fill any gap in the market. He says markets are becoming increasingly competitive and NZ cannot leave a gap for competitors.
“That is why we have supported this Zespri initiative,” he says.
Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake says the result of this vote is crucial to working towards 12-month supply for key customers in key markets, filling more demand and supporting NZ grower returns into the future.
“The outlook for Zespri Kiwifruit is positive. I’ve spent a lot of time in the markets with our customers in 2024; they want more of our fruit, and they want it all year,” he says.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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…