Editorial: United strategy for wool
OPINION: Wool farmers believe the future of strong wool still holds promise.
Wools of New Zealand this week achieved the minimum threshold of $5 million necessary to proceed with establishing a 100% strong wool grower-owned sales and marketing company.
Achieved on Tuesday, one week ahead of the February 25 offer close, the company is now positioned to pursue its commercial, market pull strategy, putting Wools of New Zealand's brands and market connections to work and further developing its technical and marketing capability for the benefit of its grower shareholders.
This milestone has been reached through the continued support of growers including investors in Wools of New Zealand who have converted some of their loans to the Wools of New Zealand Trust into shares in Wools of New Zealand.
Mark Shadbolt, chairman of Wools of New Zealand, says achieving the minimum investment represented an opportunity for strong wool growers who have invested and committed to own the Wools of New Zealand brands and assets and be involved in a commercial strategy aimed at long term profitability.
"While we are anticipating a late rush of applications from farmers, the good news is that we have met the minimum threshold required," he says.
"There's still time for growers to get on board and I urge all undecided strong wool growers to consider this opportunity seriously and get their applications in this week, to ensure receipt by the February 25 deadline. Applications can also be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. right up to the close-off."
The Wools of New Zealand capital raises closes on Monday, February 25 at 5pm. For a copy of the Prospectus and Investment Statement visit www.ourwool.co.nz
Fonterra shareholders say they will be keeping an eye on their co-operative's performance after the sale of its consumer businesses.
T&G Global says its 2025 New Zealand apple season has delivered higher returns for growers, reflecting strong global consumer demand and pricing across its Envy and Jazz apple brands.
New Zealand's primary sector is set to reach a record $62 billion in food and fibre exports next year.
A new levying body, currently with the working title of NZWool, has been proposed to secure the future of New Zealand's strong wool sector.
The most talked about, economically transformational pieces of legislation in a generation have finally begun their journey into the statute books.
Effective from 1 January 2026, there will be three new grower directors on the board of the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR).