WE OFTEN think New Zealand is doing it tough down here in our far-flung corner of the world. 

Associate Minister for Primary Industry Nathan Guy says the outlook for wood remains challenging, with depressed market conditions prevailing overseas.

Chinese pollen is the likely source of the Psa-V disease in New Zealand's kiwifruit, say a team of Otago biochemists working with the industry to unravel the disease.

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.

Fonterra Cooperative Limited yesterday outlined details of its Group Strategy Refresh which aims to grow volumes and value by focusing more tightly on emerging markets and products that meet growing consumer demand for dairy nutrition.

Global dairy markets last week broke out of a seven-month stable stretch in a move labelled “material and meaningful” by one leading analyst.

OBVIOUSLY I will stay clear of the specific issue of the Crafar Farms, since once again this is before the Government and the courts.

The market held up fairly well for the last of the larger offerings of this season with 22,700 bales on offer and an 84% clearance, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.

NEXT SEASON'S milk payouts face a greater threat from the surging Kiwi dollar than supply/demand issues around the world, says BNZ economist Doug Steel.

FONTERRA CAN generate cash from within its business to finance growth but needs a stable capital base to do this, says chief executive Theo Spierings. He says TAF (trading among farmers) will ensure a strong capital base for Fonterra.