Hastings’ Sam Carter wins Hawke’s Bay 2025 Young Grower Regional Title
Sam Carter, assistant manager for T&G's Pakowhai Sector, has been named the Hawke's Bay 2025 Young Grower of the Year.
New Zealand’s horticulture sector is projected to reach a record $8 billion by 30 June 2025.
According to the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report from the Ministry for Primary Industries, kiwifruit exports are set to exceed $3 billion for the first time.
Apple and Pear exports are also predicted to increase, this time to $1 billion.
Fresh and processed vegetable export revenue is expected to rebound and increase by 7%, reaching $770 million while cherries are forecast to increase 7% to $98 million.
A forecast rebound for avocados will see export revenue increasing 147% to $91 million.
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Kate Scott says this is “great news” for grower who she says have demonstrated resilience following the extreme weather challenges of 2023.
“However, it is important to remember that greater export revenue for the horticulture sector does not necessarily translate into greater profitability for growers because they are facing increased costs of production,” Scott says.
“We want New Zealand to thrive by sharing our world-class kiwifruit, apples, avocados, onions, cherries, and other produce with millions of consumers globally,” she adds.
Scott says the report reinforces Horticulture New Zealand’s confidence in the sector’s potential to double farm gate revenue by 2035, in line with the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan unveiled last year.
“To achieve this, we need the government to support our industry by fostering resilience to climate change, protecting vital vegetable growing areas, investing in sustainable land and water use, and accelerating research and development,” she says.
“The sector remains committed to collaborating with the Government to ensure horticulture’s continued success, benefiting New Zealand’s economy, environment, and communities,” Scott concludes.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…
OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…