Its all about ag exports
OPINION: The Public Service in New Zealand between 2017 and 2023 grew rapidly from 48,000 to over 64,000, and this does not include the use of consultants.
A developing oversupply of logs in China and continuing currency pressure has resulted in a small fall in New Zealand forestry export earnings for the latest quarter.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has this week released forestry production and trade figures for the December 2011 quarter.
The total value of New Zealand forestry exports for the quarter to 31 December 2011 was down $56.1 million on the previous December quarter, at NZ$1.1 billion.
But overall earnings were up for the 2011 calendar year (to 31 December), because China drove strong demand during the middle part of the year. The value of forestry exports increased by NZ$257.5 million to NZ$4.5 billion for the year.
Forestry still accounted for around 10% of New Zealand's total merchandise exports, at 9.8% for the 2011 calendar year (ending 31 December), compared with 10.2% the previous year.
Conditions were still challenging for the sawn timber industry, with total export earnings and volumes decreasing to NZ$751.0 million and 1.9 million cubic metres. MAF reports this is due to continuing weak housing sectors in the high-value United States and Australian markets, exacerbated by high exchange rates for key trading currencies.
For more information, go to the full reports in the Publications section of the MAF website.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.