US, EU and UK drive NZ red meat export boom to $827m
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.
Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy says his organisation welcomes the new trade deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), noting the UAE is the second largest market for the red meat sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council after Saudi Arabia.
Guy says with a population where over 75% are Muslim, the UAE is a key halal market that is increasingly looking for reliable sources of high-quality red meat that meets their strict halal expectations.
"Halal-certified exports made up 37 percent of total red meat exports and were worth approximately $3 billion in 2023/24, so NZ is well placed to meet the UAE's red meat needs," he says.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland says food security is a priority for the UAE with international trade identified as a key enabler, and beef in particular cited in their strategy as a key item to secure supply in.
The dairy industry is a major beneficiary of the deal and according to Kimberly Crewther, the executive director of DCANZ - the organisation that represents dairy companies - says that eliminating tariffs on all dairy products provides important certainly to continue growing this trade
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

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