T&G Global apple returns jump 25% on strong 2025 season
T&G Global says its 2025 New Zealand apple season has delivered higher returns for growers, reflecting strong global consumer demand and pricing across its Envy and Jazz apple brands.
Alliance Group’s Pure South Lamb and Pure South Handpicked Beef 55 Day Aged have been awarded gold medals at New Zealand’s Outstanding Food Producers Awards.
The awards celebrate Kiwis who harvest, grow and produce New Zealand’s outstanding food and drink. Entries are judges on a range of criteria including aroma, visual appearance, flavour, consistency, quality, sustainability, brand story and packaging.
Shane Kingston, general manager sales at Alliance Group, says the gold medals underline the co-operative’s reputation for food excellence and innovation.
“There is exceptional demand for Handpicked Beef, which is wet aged for 55 days – a significantly longer period than other wet aged products on the market. Our team has found that his period profoundly increases the meat’s flavour complexity, tenderness and texture.”
Kingston says Alliance’s reputation for producing some of the world’s finest lamb is well-known.
“The passion, pride and dedication of our farmers and our meticulous commitment to quality are hallmarks of Pure South Lamb. Whilst external recognition is always appreciated, this gold medal will be no surprise to our many customers around the world who seek out Pure South Lamb for its delicately flavoured eating experience, fresh aroma and leanness.”
The judges commented that Pure South Lamb was “an incredibly luxurious fine textured lamb. The little layer of fat around the rack was perfectly proportioned and made the cut. The flavour of fat was tasty and fantastic -- have not tasted better”.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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