China No Longer Just A Commodity Story - Luxon
China remains New Zealand’s biggest market, taking $23 billion of our exports, but it’s no longer a commodity story, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert says he doubts the crisis on the Chinese sharemarket will trigger a wholesale collapse of the Chinese economy.
But he says there could problems if the present situation continues long term. Ebert says the Chinese sharemarket rose quickly earlier in the year and has now fallen back to what it was.
"In many ways it's a healthy correction, but we are watching to see if it has any ramifications and any effect on the wider Asian region. We have noticed that it's starting to affect some of the other Asian equity markets, dragging them down and knocking confidence. But it is still a moot point as to how economically important this is," he told Rural News.
Ebert says the boom on the Chinese sharemarket was caused by officials promoting it, prompting a "collective rush to the door" and people going crazy and investing on the market.
Some of the rules for trading on the Chinese sharemarket are immature by western standards, he says.
Ebert doubts whether this crisis will cause the wheels to fall off the Chinese economy. But he says with China being NZ's major market the turmoil in the market is clearly not good news.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.

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