$150B farm succession challenge looms for NZ agriculture
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
The direct trade impacts of Brexit on NZ's agricultural sector are likely to be relatively contained, Rabobank says in its June Agribusiness Monthly report.
The global agribusiness banking specialist says with the United Kingdom and the EU-27 nowadays only contributing a relatively small share of New Zealand food and agricultural (F&A) exports – 4.3% and 8.8% respectively by value – the direct trade implications of the UK's historic decision to leave the European Union would be limited for the agricultural sector as a whole.
However, the report notes, for some sectors – particularly sheepmeat, wool, fruit and wine – the direct export exposure is more significant.
Rabobank senior analyst Marc Soccio says these sectors in particular would be exposed to any sustained negative impact Brexit had on the UK economy and household incomes, as well as price inflation due to adverse currency moves.
Fonterra has unveiled the first refrigerated electric truck to deliver dairy products across Auckland.
Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.
Virtual fencing and pasture management company Halter says its NZ operations has delivered a profit of $2.8 million after exclusion of notional items.
Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.