Field Notes Issue 631 Field Notes Issue 631 Field Notes Issue 631

[3^rd November 2022]

This week in Aotearoa New Zealand, we’re celebrating the miniature apple as ‘Rockit Global’ wins the Supreme Award at the New Zealand International Business Awards, the same week that expansion opportunities for more farmers to grow the fruit have been announced.

We also hear several stories related to international trade, including export challenges associated with the weakening Chinese currency (yuan) and further delays in New Zealand’s response to Canada's failure in upholding quota obligations under the Comprehensive Progressive TransPacific Partnership (CPTPP ) trade agreement.

Internationally, UK’s chickens are set for yet another extended lockdown as the country continues to battle an avian influenza outbreak and more market evidence arises to support the growing consumer interest in the ‘grass-fed claim’.

Shanghai food supplier's books reveal big profits under COVID lockdown [28 October, Reuters]

Recently made public documents leave many outraged in China as profit margins for some companies were found to be significantly higher over the lockdown period when consumers were made to believe price increases were due to the pandemic. Pang Pang Xiang, mandated by the Chinese government to ensure food supplies during the Shanghai lockdown, saw its profit margins rise above 50% between January-May, much higher than 2020-2021’s average of about 30%.

Tags: International, Trade & Exports

Farm sales drop by almost 40% nationwide compared to previous year [27 October, RNZ]

Farm sales for quarter three have dropped 39% compared to the same time in 2021, and by 53% compared to 2020. Rural spokesperson from the Real Estate Institute Brian Peacocke commented that while sales during this period are typically slow, inflation and increasing costs are large contributing factors. Peacocke states that while national inflation is about 7.3%, inflation experienced by rural economies is higher, citing sheep and beef at around 11% and dairy at 19%.

Tags: Farming Systems

Russian seafood firms finding workarounds to Western sanctions [27 October, Seafood Source]

Russia’s seafood exports have increased by 18% in volume and 21% in value compared to the same period in 2021, totalling 1.1 million metric tons and USD$2.9B, respectively. The reopening of the Chinese market and an increase in countries Russia exports to (from 58 to 60) see many seafood companies seeing better-than-expected results in the face of geopolitical circumstances.

Tags: International, Trade & Exports 

'Forestry hysteria' not helpful - forest owners [31 October, Rural News]

Graham West (President of the NZ Farm Forestry Association) worries that Beef + Lamb NZ and Federated Farmers are using the “issue” of converting farms to forestry as a scapegoat for their lack of progress in climate change mitigation. West points out how surveys commissioned by the farming groups do not ask the right questions and how the statistics the groups use do not provide proper context. West cites how wholes farms sold to forestry interests in 2021 were less than 0.5% of the area in pastoral farming and asks for a better-informed debate.

Tags: Forestry 

Countdown launches Bricks Farm promotion [29 October, Rural News]

Countdown’s Lego-like “bricks” promotion returns this year with a farm theme to celebrate NZ’s farmers and their work producing our food. Until 25 December, every $30 spent in-store or online will receive one pack of bricks, with 40 unique packs up for grabs. Certified by Environmental Choice NZ, this year’s bricks are made from 100% recycled material.

Tags: Food Retail