Rural exporters target growing Chinese market, major market reopens for deer velvet, and digital match-making unites next generation with land owners.

Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!

 

Rural exporters target growing Chinese market

Trade Minister Todd McClay will head to China this week, leading one of our largest trade missions to date. The visit includes the annual China International Trade event in Shanghai, where a record number of New Zealand companies aim to reach new customers.

Nearly seventy New Zealand businesses will attend the major trade gathering, which draws more than four hundred thousand visitors, underlining the growing ties between our nations, with two-way trade now reaching thirty-eight billion dollars annually.

Minister McClay says this mission delivers on the government's commitment to lead more international trade visits than any earlier administration, with the goal of enabling our agricultural and trade industries to reach more international customers.

After the Shanghai event, the Minister heads to Guangzhou, a key trading centre in southern China.

This is the Minister’s second visit to China this year.

 

Middle East deal creates new opportunities for NZ meat

Meanwhile meat industry leaders are welcoming a landmark trade agreement with Middle Eastern nations that will eliminate millions in tariff costs. The new deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council removes all trade barriers on red meat within ten years.

New Zealand meat exporters currently send more than two hundred and forty million dollars worth of red meat to Middle Eastern markets annually. The removal of existing tariffs will save the industry around seven and a half million dollars each year.

The agreement covers trade with major Middle Eastern nations including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This region shows remarkable growth in red meat demand, driven by increasing tourism, economic development, and a growing local market.

The deal holds additional value as the only major agreement of its kind in the region, giving New Zealand meat exporters a unique advantage over international competitors.

The agreement recognizes New Zealand's world-leading halal certification, which already generates nearly four billion dollars in annual revenue. 

This outcome marks the end of more than ten years of negotiations, creating clearer access to one of New Zealand's most valuable halal-certified markets.

 

Red meat returns reflect market complexity

The trade deals come as market conditions remain variable, with total red meat returns reaching five hundred and sixty-four million dollars in recent trade data. While this marks an eight percent reduction from last year, industry leaders say the change mainly relates to reduced animal numbers rather than market demand.

American markets continue leading our trade at one hundred and forty-three million dollars, , Canadian trade reached forty million dollars, while United Kingdom and Dutch markets also recorded major gains.

Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says international demand remains healthy across most markets, with reduced animal numbers rather than declining market interest, with animal totals down nearly a quarter during winter months.

Early year meat totals remained strong through May, with increases in both cattle and lamb items. However, winter months brought natural reductions in available animals, leading to adjusted trade volumes.

 

Major market reopens for deer velvet

Deer farmers are celebrating the return of market access to China for their frozen velvet, worth more than eighty-eight million dollars annually.

The announcement arrives after months of discussions between our Ministry and Chinese authorities. The market, which takes more than seventy one percent of New Zealand's total velvet annual revenue, had temporarily halted trade last November due to regulatory changes.

The renewed agreement marks the end of a challenging time that began when Chinese authorities announced frozen velvet would no longer meet their traditional medicine regulations. 

Industry leaders are now turning their attention toward creating additional market channels in China. Their aim includes developing more value-added deer velvet items and reaching new customer markets within the region.

Deer Industry New Zealand leaders are currently meeting with Chinese market managers to ensure smooth resumption of trade activities.

 

Digital match-making unites next generation with land owners

A new digital initiative is creating innovative ways to connect retiring landowners with the next generation of New Zealand farmers. Landify, an online matching resource, aims to tackle one of rural New Zealand's most challenging issues - the transition of farm ownership to younger agricultural leaders.

The online resource has seen remarkable demand in its initial months, drawing nearly eight hundred active users and over two thousand listing views - numbers that highlight the urgent need for alternative ownership arrangements in rural New Zealand. 

The digital meeting ground brings together established landowners and emerging farmers, allowing them to explore various ownership arrangements including leasing, equity arrangements, and alternative ownership models. Early data reveals active engagement across all regions, with strong interest in both traditional and innovative ownership arrangements.

Co-creator Sarah How recognized that many current owners want to transition away from active management while maintaining their connection to the land. Meanwhile, talented young agricultural managers are ready to take the reins but need alternative ways to enter the market.

The digital resource allows users to maintain their identity while investigating their alternatives. Once ready to connect, users can verify their details and engage directly with other members..

If you are interested in learning more, you can find monthly information and listing details at landify.co.nz 

 

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