Agriculture and Trade Minister Damien O'Connor recently spoke at the Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School emphasising the importance of trade in the Covid era. Here are excerpts from his speech:

Fonterra announced today that it will lift its 2020/21 forecast Farmgate Milk Price range to $6.90 - $7.50/kgMS.

There is widespread praise from both the primary and business sectors for the signing last week of a revamped free trade deal with China.

Northland farmer Mark Cameron is living a “chaotic” lifestyle and loving every minute of it.

Amid significant global turbulence, New Zealand agricultural producers are poised to enjoy a fifth consecutive year of general profitability in 2021, according to a new report by Rabobank.

NZ-bred Envy apples, developed and produced by T&G Global, had a record season last year with a 23% increase in international sales.

Helmut Claas, long-time managing director and chairman of the CLAAS group, has died at the age of 94.

Trade Ministers for New Zealand and China have signed an upgrade to the free trade agreement between the two countries.

The stage is set for another rise in Fonterra’s forecast milk payout following a fifth straight jump in Global Dairy Trade (GDT) prices.

New Zealand will be in the virtual spotlight for the next 12 months as it hosts the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference.