Tuesday, 05 October 2021 07:55

Covid impacts

Written by  Staff Reporters
Beef and veal export receipts are forecast to decline by 7% to $3.9 billion. Beef and veal export receipts are forecast to decline by 7% to $3.9 billion.

Global uncertainty caused by Covid and related disruption to supply chains, as well as a global shortage of labour, are cited as contributing factors to a forecast drop in NZ red meat export returns.

That's the crux of Beef+Lamb NZ's (B+LNZ) new season outlook report, which was published last week.

Chief economist Andrew Burtt says receipts from red meat exports will be about $8 billion, slightly down on 2020-21.

While lamb export receipts are forecast to increase by 2.2% to $3.6 billion on 2020-21, beef and veal export receipts are forecast to decline by 7% to $3.9 billion, driven by a decline in production and the adverse impact of the high NZ dollar on export values.

However, Burtt says the overall outlook is positive, with the fundamentals in key markets seen as solid. He says there is strong demand and tight supply, meaning prices in export markets are forecast to lift for both sheepmeat and beef.

On farm, the lamb crop this season is expected to be 22.8 million - up point 9% on last year, reflecting an increase in ewe and hogget lambing percentages. On the beef side, export production is forecast to be down by 5%. 

According to the report, farmer confidence is mixed. While on-farm profitability is positive, resilience is being tested by the volatility of adverse weather events and the extent of environmental regulation.

More like this

Every exhibitor with something valuable to offer for farmers

OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.

B+LNZ gets new CEO

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has appointed Alan Thomson as its new chief executive officer.

Red meat sector battles on

It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.

Featured

Langfords crowned Share Farmers of the Year

As the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards night unfolded, it became evident that Waikato’s Thomas and Fiona Langford were the frontrunners for the biggest prize of the night – the 2025 Share Farmers of the Year award.

ANZCO Foods' net profit plunges

Meat processor ANZCO Foods’ net profit has plunged on the back of lower market returns which squeezed margins and impacted business performance.

Editorial: Forest for the trees?

OPINION: Most people will be aware of the Government's plans to boost coal, oil and gas production to meet energy requirements.

National

Machinery & Products

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Keep it up

OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter