NEW ZEALAND’S primary exporters are enjoying buoyant trading conditions despite slower economic growth in China and other emerging markets. 

NEWS THAT Martyn Dunne, currently New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia and a former head of the Customs Service and senior army officer, has been named head of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is good news for the primary sector.

FIVE HUNDRED Australasian farmers and farm machinery dealers gathered in Christchurch last month for the centenary of Claas, the world’s largest family-owned farm machinery maker.

EUROPEAN DAIRY processor FrieslandCampina says its new development centre in Singapore will make dairy-based beverages and infant and toddler nutrition products tailored specifically for Asian consumers.

SEALESWINSLOW HAS upgraded its Wanganui stock feed mill and says it will provide better service in the lower North Island.

A GOOD WINTER and a favourable weather outlook for spring have boosted confidence across the New Zealand beef industry, particularly after the drought, says Rabobank.

ALLIANCE GROUP will launch a new season programme exporting Pure South lamb to Brazil – the world's sixth largest economy and hosts of the 2016 Olympics - following a successful trial last year.

Fonterra has forecast an increase in its 2014 farmgate milk price by 50c to $8.30 per kgMS.

Listed Dairy processor Synlait Milk has announced an $11.5 million net profit for the year ending July 31, 2013, an increase of $7.1m on the previous year.

SMALL AND medium-size infant formula makers are each losing up to $2 million a week in China as consumer confidence erodes following the false Fonterra botulism scare.