DANISH DAIRY cooperative Arla Foods is ditching expansion plans in Europe and increasing its focus on China, Russia and Africa/Middle East.

Lamb producers could learn from New Zealand tourism by targeting top-end Chinese markets, says Westpac economist Nathan Penny.

For the most part, 2013’s economic themes for the rural sector are looking generally positive.

I have two big wishes for 2013; an end to the ‘farmer v. environmentalist’ bickering and the Trans Pacific Partnership.  

The combined North and South Island Wool Sale offering of 16,850 bales saw a softening in price levels as pressure from urgent shipping requirements came off, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager John Dawson says.

A China-based subsidiary company of Zespri has pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal smuggling related to alleged under-declaration of customs duties by independent importers in a Shanghai court yesterday.

The combined North and South Island first wool auction for 2013 resulted in a strong market based on recent increased buying interest particularly from China, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd’s general manager, John Dawson says.

A NEW giant Asian free trade negotiation was launched last month – at the end of the East Asia Summit in Cambodia – with a goal to complete the deal by the end of 2015.

WE SHOULD give thanks for those fearless souls who still believe they can save the strong-wool industry. As those who have gone before have found, the path to this salvation can be unforgiving.

A KEY Australian agricultural executive has warned if the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations get bogged down in complications, they will advise their Government not to bother.