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Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor.
The Government will review export quotas it allocates annually to milk processors.
Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says this is to maximise export returns for New Zealand's dairy industry.
Access into a number of dairy export markets is controlled through tariff quotas, which provides access into a market for set volumes at a lower or zero tariff.
Dairy export quota allocations are set each year by the Ministry for Primary Industries, and allocated to eligible processors proportional to the milk they collect from farmers. To be eligible processors must collect at least 0.1% of New Zealand's total milk solids.
O'Connor says New Zealand's free trade agreements with the United Kingdom and European Union present new opportunities for New Zealand exporters.
"The new dairy quotas, which will become available under the recent FTAs, means it's timely and prudent to take a fresh look at how we allocate dairy export quota," O'Connor says.
"I want to ensure the quota system is working well for everyone, that the value of quota is being maximised, and that opportunity is not being missed.
"We've fought hard for our dairy exporters and secured improved access through these FTAs. I know our dairy industry is looking to take up the benefits under these agreements as soon as possible."
A new Indonesian school milk programme is expected to significantly increase the country's total dairy consumption, creating opportunities for New Zealand and other global dairy players.
Horticultural prices are set to remain elevated this year, reflecting the balance between demand in key export markets and an increase in supply.
The red meat sector is watching anxiously as the US embarks on a tariff war with its key trading partners.
New Zealand's red meat exports for 2024 finished on a positive note, with total export value increasing 17% over last December to reach $1.04 billion, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Non-tariff trade measures (NTM) remain a problem for NZ exporters, according to Horticulture Export Authority (HEA) chief executive Simon Hegarty.
Reuters reports that giant food company Wilmar Group has announced it had handed over 11.8 trillion rupiah (US$725 million) to Indonesia's Attorney General's Office as a "security deposit" in relation to a case in court about alleged misconduct in obtaining palm oil export permits.
DairyNZ is celebrating 60 years of the Economic Survey, reflecting on the evolution of New Zealand's dairy sector over time.
As electricity prices soar, farmers appear to be looking for alternative energy sources.
There is an appeal to New Zealanders to buy local citrus fruit.
Avocado growers are reporting a successful season, but some are struggling to keep their operations afloat following years of bad weather.
It's time to start talking up science again, especially as a career for young people. That's one of the key messages from the Prime Minister's new chief science advisor, Dr John Roche.
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