Red meat industry hails new migrant visa rules as win for jobs and exports
New Zealand's red meat processing and exporting sector has welcomed the government's announcement of new work visas.
The value of New Zealand red meat exports dropped 18% in October compared to the previous year.
The market analysis, by the Meat Industry Association, also showed that sheepmeat exports fell by 25%. A 14% fall in the value of beef exports was also reported.
Exports and co-products into the United Kingdom dropped 16%.
Meanwhile, exports to the United States saw a 15% increase.
Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the Meat Industry Association, said the fall was mainly in China and reflected the high prices New Zealand red meat commanded last year.
She explained that in October 2019, record amounts of meat were sent to China after African Swine Fever decimated the Chinese pig herd
“While the value of exports this October was down compared to last year, it was still higher than all other October monthly exports in recent years,” she said.
She said the data demonstrated the volatility of global markets and showed the importance of a market diversification strategy.
“COVID-19 continues to severely disrupt our markets and key channels such as the food service sector and we expect this to continue through to 2021,” Karapeeva said.
“The situation is also compounded by congestion issues at ports and the appreciation of the New Zealand dollar.”
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.