Nimble New Zealand exporters finding opportunity amid shifting trade terms
Global trade wars and uncertain tariff regimes could play into the hands of many New Zealand exporters, according to Gareth Coleman ANZ’s Head of Trade & Supply Chain.
New Zealand’s food and fibre exports for the year ending June 2022 leapt to $53.3 billion.
The result is $1.1 billion above the $52.2 billion forecast in this year’s Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report, which predicted the primary sector continuing to make a profit despite a challenging year.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the result is a testament to the efforts of New Zealand’s farmers, growers, foresters, fishers and processors.
“The June quarter saw a strong finish to what we’d already forecast to be a record year for exports,” O’Connor says. “Meat and dairy led the charge in bringing an additional $1.1 billion into our economy.”
He says the data also showed seafood and horticulture exports surpassing the 2021 exports.
“Food and fibre exports made up 81.4 percent of New Zealand’s total exports in the year to 30 June 2022,” O’Connor says.
“In the two years since COVID-19 came knocking on our doors, I believe that, collectively, we’ve done a terrific job keeping the wheels of the economy turning.”
He says the sector has also responded to other challenges, like the current weather events at the top of the South Island, which O’Connor says he is watching closely.
“I’d like to acknowledge the sectors’ ongoing efforts and congratulate them on a job well done. It’s helping provide New Zealand’s economic security in challenging times.”
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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