'Grand Alliance' growing grass-fed beef exports to China
Alliance Group and Grand Farm have signed a strategic co-operation agreement with a focus on delivering more premium New Zealand grass-fed beef to Chinese consumers.
Wool prices are under pressure as large volumes of New Zealand wool comes on to the markets during January to March, says Cedric Bayly, general manager of PGG Wrightson Wool.
"We are already seeing evidence of softening prices across most classes of product as exporters come under price pressure, exacerbated by the strength of the New Zealand dollar and the failure of economies overseas that we sell into," he says.
Bayly says this may result in manufacturers changing their buying patterns.
"Manufacturers are purchasing on shorter payment terms and are ordering only when wool is needed rather than also buying for stock," he says. "Wool carpets are repositioning to the top half of the market and leaving the bottom to chemical base fibres. This has been driven by raw wool fibre prices.
"This equates to a 'good news, bad news' scenario. Wool growers benefit while on the other side of the equation yarn spinners, who don't operate on very big margins, are finding it difficult to absorb significant price rises over a short period."
Overall Bayly says the commodity cycle is on a long term growth path, driven by large scale demand from economies such as China, Asia, UK and Europe.
Wool prices have been no exception, though the increases have been mercurial in light of short global supply of coarse wool, with New Zealand prices virtually doubling in just over a year helped by a decline in sheep populations.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.