Farmer confidence dips slightly, but positivity still dominates
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Global beef trade is expected to grow steadily over the next five years, driven by increasing demand from Asia and strategic export expansions by South American countries.
That's according to a new report by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.
The new global beef trade report found that over the last five years exports had risen 14% from 2019 to nearly 13m metric tons by 2024.
Brazil and China have emerged as dominant forces in exports and imports, respectively.
Brazilian beef exports surged from 2.3m metric tons in 2019 to 3.6m metric tons in 2024, largely driven by growing market demand in China, of which Brazil provided 50% of beef imports (China accounted for 41% of Brazilian beef exports).
China overtook the US and Japan to become the world's dominant importer of beef, going from 2m to 3.5m metric tons between 2019 and 2024.
Despite the increase in volumes worldwide, the 2024 global beef trading map is not dissimilar from the 2019 map, with the main importing and exporting nations largely retaining their positions.
The report says the second half of the decade is expected to witness continued growth in global beef trade.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.
New Zealand's new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Horowhenua dairy farmer, company director and former Minister of Agriculture, Nathan Guy says the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.
New figures show dairy farmers are not only holding on to their international workforce, but are also supporting those staff to step into higher-skilled roles on farm.
New tractor deliveries for 2025 jumped 10% compared to the previous year, a reflection of the positive primary sector outlook, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).
Entries have opened for two awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme, aimed at helping young farmers progress to farm ownership.

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