Hort urged to back controversial emissions plan
The country's horticulturalists have been urged to get in behind the controversial He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) agricultural emissions plan.
Horticulture was once again the star in export revenue growth terms in the primary sector.
Horticulture jumped 13.7% in the year ended June 2019 to $6.1 billion, according to MPI’s Situation and Outlook September update.
But dairy was the biggest in monetary terms, growing 8.7% to $18.1b – a $1.47b increase.
Overall primary exports were also up 8.7% to $46.4b to the year ending June 2017 but are expected to drop 0.5% in the current year to $46.2b.
Prices are forecast to remain high for most products, but lower export volumes are forecast in most sectors, says the report.
Horticulture export revenue is forecast to grow 3.8% to $6.3b in the year ended June 2020, with slightly lower yields in the main crops contributing to lower growth this year.
New Zealand apple exports to China in the first half of 2019 were double that for the same period last year.
Apple and pear export revenue for the calendar year 2019 is expected to exceed $800 million due to increases in both export volumes and prices.
Strong demand from Asian markets, in particular China, has helped offset weaker demand in Europe, the latter attributable to large domestic stocks from the 2018 harvest.
Export prices have dropped for apple varieties mainly sold in Europe, such as Braeburn.
Higher kiwifruit prices bring the forecast revenue up 4.5% to $2.53b for the kiwifruit season ending March 2020, despite production volumes for 2019-20 being on par to slightly below last season.
The recent harvest notably saw gold kiwifruit production volume overtake green for the first time, with some green kiwifruit areas being replaced by new gold licence releases.
The early start to the gold kiwifruit harvest saw March and April break records for export volume and revenue. Kiwifruit export prices have held through June and are expected to remain strong throughout the export season.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
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