GLOBAL DAIRY prices will remain elevated, but keep drifting down slowly from April highs, say two major bank economists.

THIS IS my first visit to China as Minister for Primary Industries, and my second visit as a minister. I visited here in April 2012 as the Minister of Immigration and Associate Minister for Primary Industries.

MPI IS sounding a caution about debt in the dairy sector.

A Shanghai Court has upheld the findings against Zespri's China-based subsidiary and one of the subsidiary's employees, relating to the under-declaration of customs duties on imports into Shanghai of New Zealand kiwifruit between 2008 and 2010.

Federated Farmers believes the 7.5% shareholding in Synlait taken by FrieslandCampina Investments Holding BV1, a subsidiary of Dutch Dairy Cooperative giant FrieslandCampina, could shake-up the New Zealand dairy industry.

Wine growers have welcomed the economic cooperation agreement signed this week between New Zealand and Taiwan, giving New Zealand wine tariff-free access to the Taiwan market as soon as it comes into force next year.

LANDCORP HAS done another deal with the Chinese company Shanghai Pengxin – this time to help develop a giant sheep farm.

Rabobank forecasts New Zealand's beef prices to firm next quarter, as supplies tighten after the higher, drought-induced slaughter volumes, and forecasts of a wetter-than-average winter also encourage producers to retain stock.

New rules for meat exports to China will be implemented today, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye say.

Westland Milk finished the season with a 5.3% increase in milk processed on last season, despite the drought on the West Coast.