Red meat industry hails new migrant visa rules as win for jobs and exports
New Zealand's red meat processing and exporting sector has welcomed the government's announcement of new work visas.
Red meat exports topped $932 million during February, with demand from the US helping to offset the weak Chinese market.
Overall, New Zealand red meat exports in February were up 10% on the relatively low export value recorded in February 2023, largely due to a rise in sheepmeat and beef exports, particularly to the US.
Sheepmeat exports increased to nearly all major markets, apart from China where the volume fell by 8% to 19,401 tonnes.
Beef exports increased by 20% overall to 48,431 tonnes. This was 15% above the average for February exports over the last five years and included a 4% increase to China.
The EU and UK markets saw an increase in both volume and value for beef. So far this year, New Zealand has exported 998 tonnes of beef to the EU, worth $19.8m, a 38% increase in volume and 16% increase in value compared to the first two months of last year.
The average free on board (FoB) value of beef exports to the EU is $19.83/kg, more than twice the $8.31/kg average for beef exports.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said increased export volumes to the US were helping to offset lower demand from China.
“In February, the US accounted for nearly the same proportion of overall exports as China – 28% and 30% respectively.
“However, the results from the high value EU market highlights how the limited quota for beef in the Free Trade Agreement is a real missed opportunity for companies to develop a valuable market to help boost economic returns for the sector and the country.”
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.