China Enhances Market Access for New Zealand Red Meat

TL;DR: In a landmark development for the red meat industry, China has broadened its market access, allowing a significant increase in New Zealand meat exports. This move, described as the most substantial market opening in almost ten years, comes after the Ministry for Primary Industries announced that four meat plants have received approval for chilled […]
2023 Red Meat Export Figures: Reflecting Global Economic Trends

TL;DR: The Meat Industry Association’s (MIA) recent analysis reveals a mixed picture for New Zealand’s red meat exports in 2023. While volumes saw an uptick, the overall value did not match the record highs of 2022 for both sheepmeat and beef. This scenario, as MIA Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva notes, serves as a reliable indicator […]
New Zealand’s Urgent Call for Water Policy Reform: Simplifying Regulations and Addressing Environmental Pressures

TL;DR: Ministry Calls for Streamlined Water and Land Use Regulations The Ministry for the Environment has highlighted the need for urgent reform in water policy, advising the government on the potential to streamline regulations affecting the primary sector’s management of land and freshwater. Over the past decade, the approach to controlling urban and rural water […]
Forecasting the Summer Weather: A Painterly Perspective

TL;DR: Envision the upcoming month’s weather as a vast canvas, with El Niño providing a vibrant orange backdrop. This vivid base sets the stage for our summer weather expectations across New Zealand and Australia. However, the season’s narrative takes an unexpected turn with the addition of blue splatters across the canvas, symbolising the surprising rain […]
Navigating Future Horizons: New Zealand’s Primary Sector at a Crossroads

TL;DR: In the heart of New Zealand’s verdant landscapes, the primary sector faces a conundrum that is as much about people as it is about the land itself. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has cast a spotlight on the looming shadow of labour shortages, a predicament exacerbated by a cocktail of demographic shifts, urban […]
Update on United States Trade Market for New Zealand Beef and Lamb

TL;DR: As of 31 January 2024, Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) Trade Policy team has shared an update on the United States (US) trade market, detailing the ongoing efforts and recent developments in one of the most crucial markets for New Zealand’s beef and sheepmeat exports. Key Market Insights The US remains a pivotal […]
New Zealand’s Red Meat Sector Faces Mixed Fortunes in 2024 Amid Global Pressures and Local Challenges

TL;DR: In 2024, New Zealand’s red meat sector may see a mix of challenges and opportunities, according to Rabobank’s Global Animal Protein Production Outlook. The report forecasts a 3% decrease in beef production, attributed to the ongoing reduction of dairy and beef herds. Despite this, international market dynamics, particularly from the US, are expected to […]
Resilient Lamb Sales Surpass Expectations Amid Dry Spell in Ashburton High Country

TL;DR: In December, Ashburton’s high-country farmers encountered significant challenges due to a severe lack of rainfall, receiving only 12mm for the month. This dry spell led to depleted lamb feed and necessitated the early scheduling of annual on-farm lamb sales. Alan McIntyre, farm manager at Arrowsmith Station, noted the lambs were not in their ideal […]
Study Warns of Billion-Dollar Threat from Invasive Weed to New Zealand’s Economy and Environment

TL;DR: Recent studies have spotlighted the severe economic and environmental threat that Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) poses to New Zealand, potentially costing the country over a billion dollars if unaddressed. This invasive species, already rooted in regions like Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, and Marlborough, is notorious for its sharp seeds that can harm livestock and […]
Navigating New Waters: The Impact of Red Sea Tensions on New Zealand Agriculture

TL;DR: Recent conflicts in the Red Sea, involving attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen on ships traversing to the Northern Hemisphere via the Suez Canal, have prompted military responses from the US and UK, supported by other nations. This situation poses a new challenge for global shipping routes, with potential implications for New Zealand’s […]