Biosecurity tops priorities for agribusiness leaders - report
Biosecurity remains the top priority for agribusiness leaders, according to KPMG’s 2025 Agribusiness Agenda released last week.
More evidence - if it was needed - that farming sector confidence is on the wane, burdened down by increasing red tape and workforce shortages.
This comes in KPMG's latest Agribusiness Agenda, released at this month's Fieldays, which says New Zealand's role in a global "food renaissance" could be hampered by Covid-19 fatigue and sweeping regulatory changes.
KPMG global head of agribusiness Ian Proudfood said morale in the sector had slumped over the past year, with industry leaders struggling under the pressure. The report highlights how agribusiness morale has falled steeply in the past year as the pressures of labour shortages, shipping challenges and the unprecedented speed of regulatory change sap the strength of the sector.
"We could sense anger during our conversations, particularly in relation to the labour shortages the sector faces."
Proudfoot said for the first time in the report's history, it reflected tangible concerns over the part New Zealand organisations would play in the futureor the global agrifood sector.
"Each new rule brings new compliance and reporting requirements and often requires changes to core systems," he says. "The point was made that it is the breadth of change that is stretching many organisations. In addition to this, the Climate Change Commission's final advice on faming has also presented pressure for the sector to do its part, or even to do the heavy lifting for New Zealand."
Proudfoot added that the practical challenges caused by Covid-19, including shipping delays and labour shortages, were also adding pressure on an already stretched sector.
He says the pace of change is stretching many organisations, bringing added compliance and reporting requirements.
"Our conversations saw a simple request to the Government: 'Please ensure that work is coordinated across agencies so that consultation occurs, and regulations are drafted, in a way that reduces the burden placed on executive time'."
Meanwhile, the report also warns that while New Zealand's agribusiness sector is in a good position - it is not going to be good forever.
Proudfoot says organisations need to act now and leverage our current reputation to secure a "place at the table before our invitation to join the global food renaissance expires".
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…