The latest Red Meat Report shows red meat exports have held up strongly in the face of significant disruptions.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association have released their May 2021 Red Meat Report.
In the report both B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor and Sirma Karapeeva, the MIA’s chief executive, reflect on the past and continued resilience the red meat sector has shown through responding to the impact of COVID-19.
With the pandemic came more demand for the safe, nutritious, and sustainable food that New Zealand provides.
“Our red meat exports reached a record high of $9.2 billion last year,” says McIvor and Karapeeva.
Opportunities arose with this demand as well as risk. Late last year the two organisations renewed the ‘Red Meat Sector Strategy’ to stay agile in uncertain times.
With a strategy in place and successful collaboration, both McIvor and Karapeeva seem confident.
“The collaboration and partnerships across the sector and across agriculture have never been stronger.
“Despite the challenges, we remain optimistic about the future.”
An example of their collaboration this year can be seen in the new website www.makingmeatbetter.co.nz, which was built to inform and give people the right facts about how New Zealand produces sustainable food and the efforts farmers are making towards combatting climate change.
As well as this, the report includes detailed updates on sector work and policies affecting the agricultural industry.
This includes market and trade, environment regulations, innovation and research developments and what’s happening for education and employment in the sector.
Read the report in full by clicking on the image below.
