Faking it
OPINION: Demand for red meat is booming, while it seems the heyday of plant-based protein is well past its 'best before' date.
OPINION: They say nothing is as good as the real thing - and this seems to be the case for fake meat company Beyond Meat.
Reports show it has become one of the most 'shorted' companies on the US stock market as investors fret over weaker-than-forecast sales and scepticism grows over the plant-based 'meat' boom.
Short sellers - who make money on share price falls - have piled into the stock.
Short positions on Beyond Meat shares have increased 40% since late October, when the California-based company issued a revenue warning.
The ballooning bets against Beyond Meat come amid rising uncertainty about the growth in plant-based meat: Data from the US and UK show that sales, which soared in 2020, flattened out in 2021.
Although US retailers' sales of plant-based meat grew 1.6% in December, numbers fell between March and November, taking total revenues for the year down 0.5%.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.
Westgold butter has been named New Zealand's tastiest in a blind tasting conducted by Consumer New Zealand.