Primary producers overcome big challenges (including govt regulations) to lift export revenue in latest forecasts – Point of Order:
New Zealand’s primary producers deserve a Christmas bouquet – or a big hamper stuffed with goodies – as food and fibre export revenue is projected to top $50 billion for the first time next year. They are achieving this despite the challenges of regulatory compliance, increasing costs for inputs such as feed and fertiliser, Covid impacts on freight movements and constraints around labour availability.
Total export value is expected to rise 6% to $50.8bn in the year to June 30 2022, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report released today.
Ministers were quick to hop on the bandwagon, despite framing many of the new regulatory constraints.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said the healthy growth forecast across the majority of the primary industries showed the future of the food and fibre sector is bright. . .
Science New Zealand 2021 Awards :
This year’s annual awards celebrated 24 awardees across three award categories – Early Career Researcher, Individual / Lifetime Achievement and Team. A Supreme Award winner was chosen from the 24 awardees.
Supreme Award Winner
The AgResearch Breeding Low Methane-Emitting Sheep Team
AgResearch’s Breeding Low Methane-Emitting Sheep leads the world in breeding sheep that produce less methane. This innovation gives farmers practical tools to lower methane emissions on their farms. As methane is a short-lived but potent greenhouse gas, this could contribute significantly in helping to reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse emissions.
Gains made by using this technology in sheep flocks are permanent and cumulative. The team’s work is gaining momentum with other livestock industries, particularly cattle and deer. . .
Student Jo Search helps fill vacancies in agriculture, fishing and forestry – Niva Chittock:
Student Job Search is coming to the rescue of farmers and growers crying out for skilled workers.
There’s been a 76 percent increase in the number of jobs it’s offering in agriculture, fishing and forestry.
At the same time, student earnings from these jobs have more than doubled, totalling just under $7 million in the last financial year.
Student Job Search places around 27,000 students into work every year. . .
Rockit sees strongest year yet with 45% growth:
Innovative New Zealand apple company, Rockit Global Limited is celebrating its strongest season yet, with forecast turnover up 45 percent year on year in a tough economic environment.
Global demand for its snack sized apples is continuing to grow exponentially, with the high-performing business this year recording 33 percent growth in bin volume, resulting in over 75 million apples being packed and shipped to consumers around the world. Rockit is also forecasting orchard gate returns of around NZD $230,000 per hectare on mature orchards.
Rockit Global CEO Mark O’Donnell puts these impressive results down to a combination of the company ‘doing things differently’ on the global stage through innovation, backed by its disruptive new brand and great product.
“To see such a robust result among this year’s economic challenges is extremely exciting,” says Mark. “As global consumer demand increases – and more Rockit trees are planted to meet this – we’ve implemented leading edge automation and artificial intelligence to meet our strong growth trajectory and reduce reliance on manual labour across all parts of the supply chain– which is also creating higher value, and more innovative roles for our people.” . .
Hawke’s Bay pumpkin milk wins big in New York :
A Hawke’s Bay company making a pumpkin milk has been recognised at the World Plant-Based Awards in New York.
The product, known as Kabocha Milk, is produced by one of New Zealand’s largest buttercup squash growers.
The company said squash is staple part of the Japanese and East Asian diet and the milk allows them to make use of crops which aren’t export grade due to cosmetic blemishes.
It’s milk is stocked in two high-end Japanese retail store chains which plans to extend to 5,000 stores across Japan, Korea and China in the next couple of years. . .
Australian manuka industry hails UK trademark decision as a victory for common sense:
The Australian Manuka Honey Association is delighted that the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has rejected an application by a group of New Zealand producers to trademark the words “Manuka honey”, recognising that it is a purely descriptive term for a type of honey. The decision will have widespread ramifications in jurisdictions beyond the United Kingdom.
In reaching its decision, the IPO accepted there was significant evidence that the general public understands manuka honey is not produced exclusively in New Zealand, but rather originates from a number of places including Australia.
Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) Chairman Paul Callander said: “This decision is the right decision and a fair decision. The term manuka has been used in Australia since the 1800s and the Australian industry has invested significantly for decades in manuka honey science, research and marketing. It would be deeply unfair – and financially devastating – to deny that reality.” . .
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