increase font size
New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay and UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. Photo Credit: Todd McClay/Twitter.
The dairy and red meat sectors have welcomed news that New Zealand will begin formal negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The announcement by Trade Minister Todd McClay and his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai follows and earlier meeting in March where the pair set up a consultation programme to see if such a deal should proceed.
The UAE is an important market for NZ's red meat sector, generated $47 million of export earnings in 2023. High-value chilled beef is the most valuable export sub-category to the UAE, worth $31 million in 2023, making the UAE our fourth largest chilled beef market behind the US, China, and Japan.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says a comprehensive FTA with UAE would open the door to reduce tariffs on other products that we export to the Middle East, including frozen beef and lamb, and wool.
Also happy with the news is Dairy Companies of NZ (DCANZ) executive director Kimberly Crewther. She says her sector looks forward to a high-quality FTA agreement that delivers certainty to our dairy exporters of duty-free access across all products.
MPI director-general, Ray Smith believes the downturn actually bottomed out in about January, and since then says things have been on the improve but adds that every sector will have different trajectory or timeline as to when there will be an improvement.
Food and fibre export revenue is tipped to reach $54.6 billion this year and hit a record $66.6b in 2028 as the Government focuses on getting better access to markets and cutting red tape.
The Government is pushing ahead with its election commitment to take agriculture out of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
One of the country’s top trade officials, a respected farmer and orchardist and a radio presenter are in the running for the 2024 Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand's Primary Industries award.
Farmers and politicians will battle it out at Gisborne this Saturday – on a sports field and all in the name of charity.
Fruit and vegetable growers have overwhelmingly voted to continue paying their Horticulture New Zealand levy.
Farmers are hoping for a respite from complex national health and safety laws, under review by the Coalition Government.
When Cyclone Gabrielle hit in February 2023, it left an estimated $13.5 billion worth of damage across New Zealand.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is investigating a Southland farm over poor grazing practices after some dairy cows were found stuck in mud.
Having taken over from the previous distributor, who represented the brand for two decades, Landini New Zealand marks the beginning of a new distribution deal with Norwood, with a first look at Fieldays.
Strong demand for milkfats - anhydrous milkfat (AMF) and butter - is helping boost the farmgate milk price, according to ANZ agriculture economist Susan Kilsby.
OPINION: After six years of being passed over for every Arts luvvie in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, agriculture has finally…
OPINION: Reactions to Budgets are always predictable, following well-worn tracks laid down by political tribalism and ideology.
