The humble hotpot has been the catalyst for phenomenal growth of the red meat market in China, Silver Fern Farms (SFF) chief executive Dean Hamilton says.

Fonterra has welcomed the formal approval by the shareholders of Beingmate Baby and Child Food Company Ltd to establish a joint venture to purchase the cooperative's Darnum plant in Australia.

Winston Peters has been at it again, hiding behind the cloak of Parliamentary privilege to deliver another conspiracy-riddled attack, this time on the directors and farmer shareholders of Silver Fern Farms.

On-shelf dairy prices for consumers in China are too high so demand is not growing, says Fonterra's chief executive Theo Spierings.

Fonterra says milk collection this season will be down 5% compared to last year.

Alliance Group has reported a pre-tax profit of $7.9 million on the back of challenging sheepmeat markets.

The Commerce Commission has approved Cavalier Wool Holdings' (Cavalier) application to acquire NZ Wool Services International's (NZWSI) wool scouring business and assets.

Dairy, kiwifruit, apples, cherries and wine are among winners in the "spectacular" growth in exports to Chinese Taipei in the last two years, says Trade Minister Tim Groser.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy will attend agricultural conferences on a four-day trip to Australia and China.

NZ Wool Services International's North Island offering of 5400 bales received strong support with 99% selling, chief executive John Dawson says.