Field Notes Issue 614 Field Notes Issue 614 Field Notes Issue 614

[7^th July 2022]

On the shores of Aotearoa New Zealand, the export free trade agreement with the EU worth NZD$1.8 billion has seen mixed reaction. The deal also confirms that New Zealand cheese makers will no longer have the ability to use specific names for products with historical links to Europe. New Zealand’s largest poultry supplier, Tegel, has increased prices by 10% due to labour shortages and increasing costs.

In international news, fertiliser company Yara, announced its plan for a new ‘green’ fertiliser, the Global Dairy Trade price fell 4.1% to 1287 in the recent fortnightly auction and in the UK, a shortage of seasonal workers has resulted in tonnes of unpicked produce. Danone, under their ‘Nutrilon’ brand, is preparing to launch their first dairy and plant blend infant formula. Danone claims the product is nutritionally complete for infants and has a 30% smaller carbon footprint in comparison to other powdered formulas

New Zealand wins $1.8b trade deal with EU at eleventh hour [1 July, The Country]

New Zealand has secured a NZD$1.8 billion trade deal to grow exports by 2035 with the EU. When it comes into force, 91% of tariffs will be eliminated, with a further 6% following in the seventh year. While some sectors are happy with the agreement, others have expressed disappointment over subpar benefits.

Tags: Trade & Exports

T&G Global receives sustainability loan [30 June, Rural News]

Announced last week, T&G Global has signed up for the New Zealand horticulture sector’s first sustainability-linked loan. Borrowing NZD$180 million over three years, T&G has committed to greenhouse gas reduction targets, creating a climate risk adaptation plan, and boosting regional development through job creation.

Tags: Horticulture, Sustainability 

Kellogg's loses court case over sugary cereal supermarket offers [5 July, BBC]

Kellogg’s has lost its court case against the UK Government on regulation of in-store promotions of foods and beverages high in fat, salt or sugar. From October, these foods will be banned from prime promotional spots such as store entrances and aisle ends as one measure to combat rising obesity rates.

Tags: International, Regulations 

Record year for NZ agritech investment [4 July, Food Ticker]

Investment in agritech in New Zealand has reached record levels. The newly released TIN200 Agritech report shows that NZD$15.4 million of deals were reached in 2021, with 2020 seeing only seven. CertusBio, which produces monitoring solutions for food processing, saw the largest investment in 2021 at NZD$4.6 million.

Tags: AgriTech, Start-ups 

Vege growers turn off the heat as coal and gas prices soar [5 July, RNZ]

Increasing costs for coal and gas has caused some indoor vegetable growers to temporarily shut off their heaters, with some considering changing to seasonal crops that require little heating. Board member of Vegetables New Zealand, Leanne Roberts, commented that many recent changes in the industry had created an uncertain future for small to medium indoor farms.

Tags: Horticulture, Energy