Red meat exports slump, thanks to China
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Compared with April 2011, exports of goods fell $799 million (17 percent) in April 2012, to $3.9 billion, Statistics New Zealand said today.
Exports of dairy products, meat and edible offal, crude oil, and logs, wood, and wood articles all showed notable decreases for the month. Crude oil tends to be imported and exported in large, irregular shipments. Twenty-one of the 25 largest commodity groups exported from New Zealand showed decreases in April 2012.
"Most commodities for exports fell this month, with primary products driving the decrease, although it should be noted that April 2011 had the highest exports value for any month on record so far," industry and labour statistics manager Neil Kelly said.
For April 2012, imports of goods increased $3.7 million (0.1 percent) compared with April 2011. Imports of plant and machinery, and passenger motor cars both increased. This was offset by decreases in crude oil, fertilisers, and inorganic chemicals.
The trade balance for April 2012 was a surplus of $355 million (9.1 percent of exports). For the year ended April 2012, there was an annual trade deficit of $541 million (1.2 percent of exports).
The exports trend has been decreasing since November 2011, which was a record high, and is now at the same level as in November 2010. The trend for imports has been flat in recent months, and is up 24 percent since its most recent low point in September 2009. However, this trend is still 7.1 percent below its overall peak in September 2008.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
New Zealand farmers are committed to making their businesses more resilient to climate change and are embracing innovation to help them do so.
Atiamuri farmers Paul and Lesley Grey never gave up their dream of owning their own farm – and in 2020, that dream came true.
OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour…
OPINION: Your canine crusader gets a little fed up with the some in media, union hacks, opposition politicians and hard-core…