Tears of joy for onions
Onion growers will be saving $6.5 million on tariffs once the free trade agreement (FTA) with its number one market – the European Union – is ratified next year.
The 2021 New Zealand export onion season is off to an early and positive start, says Onions New Zealand.
“Amongst all the turmoil created by Covid and the weather, it’s great to be able to report that exports of New Zealand onions to Indonesia are underway, two months earlier than last year,” says Onions New Zealand chief executive James Kuperus.
“This is thanks to New Zealand government trade officials’ efforts to keep trade open and a decision by Indonesian officials to release quota early.”
He says that 78 tonnes of onions harvested earlier in January left for Indonesia last week.
“While this is small, it signals the season is underway early, and prices reflect the additional costs of growing and exporting during a pandemic.”
Kuperus says the growing season has been favourable for growers.
“There’s been adequate rainfall and the quality is very good. The drought in Auckland did not materialize. While water was short, there was frequent rain during the growing season.”
However, New Zealand growers planted approximately 6% fewer onions than in 2020.
Kuperus says this was due to the uncertainty created by Covid.
“However, yield is up so perhaps the season will be only about 3% down on last.”
Total onion exports are expected to be between 170,000 and 175,000 tonnes in 2021. New Zealand onions are exported to 45 countries. Last year, the industry was worth $145 million.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…
OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…