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OPINION: Another example of the dairy sector getting shortchanged in free trade deals?
At Open Country Dairy's new butter plant opening last month, company chair Laurie Margrain had a swipe at the Government.
He told suppliers and industry leaders at the plant opening that the EU free trade deal has a bucket quota.
"And our $50 million investment has been locked out of that for the next few years because the quota's been based upon what we sold to Europe in the previous three years. So, we didn't have a butter plant.
"Now we've got a butter plant, a $50 million butter plant, and we can't sell to Europe."
New Zealand's new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Horowhenua dairy farmer, company director and former Minister of Agriculture, Nathan Guy says the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.
OPINION: With Winston Peters playing politics with the PM's Indian FTA, all eyes will be on Labour who have the casting vote.
OPINION: When he promised an Indian FTA in his first term, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was really putting it all on red for the win. Against the odds (and with help from Todd McClay and others), he has thumbed his nose at the many doubters by closing just such a deal before Christmas – a move that will change the narrative around the PM and could help him win the election.
OPINION: Trade Minister Todd McClay and the trade negotiator in government have presented Kiwis with an amazing gift for 2026 - a long awaited and critical free trade deal with India.
Primary sector leaders have praised the government and its officials for putting the Indian free trade deal together in just nine months.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.
New Zealand's new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Horowhenua dairy farmer, company director and former Minister of Agriculture, Nathan Guy says the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.
New figures show dairy farmers are not only holding on to their international workforce, but are also supporting those staff to step into higher-skilled roles on farm.
New tractor deliveries for 2025 jumped 10% compared to the previous year, a reflection of the positive primary sector outlook, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).
Entries have opened for two awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme, aimed at helping young farmers progress to farm ownership.
