Forest organisations have joined to reject statements that the current shortage of framing timber is caused by foresters selling logs to China and not leaving enough timber to be processed for sale in New Zealand. The Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association’s Chief Executive, Jon Tanner says Chinese log buyers were going to what he called […]
Shipping
Reinforcing New Zealand’s place in the rules-based trading framework
by Macaulay Jones, Federated Farmers Policy Advisor Federated Farmers says the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement provides a much- needed qualitative show of support for the rules-based international trading framework. In mid-February, Andrew Hoggard, the National President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, appeared before the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee as […]
First shipment of record Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit crop sets sail for Japan and Korea
The first shipment of what is expected to be a record season of New Zealand-grown Zespri Kiwifruit is now en route to Tokyo and Busan. The fruit is aboard the MV Kakariki, the second of three new specialised reefer vessels built by Fresh Carriers to ship New Zealand-grown kiwifruit to Zespri’s Asian markets, with the […]
Economic Week – February 12
by Nick Clark, Manager General Policy, Federated Farmers of NZ Budget 2021 The Government this week released Budget Policy Statement 2021 for the upcoming Budget. Last year’s Budget was focused mainly on the immediate need to keep New Zealand safe from COVID-19 and combatting the economic fallout. While continuing this work, Budget 2021 will move […]
Red meat exports reach historic highs
Despite the challenges and restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the New Zealand red meat sector exported $9.2 billion worth of products during 2020, an increase of one per cent on the previous year. Overall exports during the year reached historically high levels – and were seven per cent above 2018 exports ($8.6 billion) and 21 […]
FTA upgrade a bonus of NZ-China meat trade
The upgrade of the Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and China will help further streamline trade between the two countries, Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says. “The upgrade will simplify export procedures, remove a level of administration, paperwork and reduce compliance costs for red meat exporters. “We anticipate a reduction in the […]
Primary industry exports close to breaking $50b mark
Economic prospects for the primary sector are bright despite the significant challenges from COVID-19, according to the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report. The report, released on Tuesday afternoon, forecasts food and fibre export revenue of more than $47.5 billion for the year ending June 2021, and a record $49.2 billion the […]
Rocky road ahead on international trading front
Taxes is a ‘t’ word resented by some firms but the way Vangelis Vitalis tells it, the ‘t’ word that farming businesses and other export-oriented producers should worry about is tariffs. “You’re the sector that faces the highest tariff barriers,” New Zealand’s chief trade negotiator told an opening day session at the 2020 Primary Industries […]
Looming crisis for transport – RTF
The trucking industry wants to see Labour engage better with the business community in its second term of Government, says Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett. “Solutions to the issues and opportunities that Covid-19 has thrown up lie in the knowledge and expertise held by New Zealand’s businesses, rather than its bureaucracy,” Leggett says. […]