Latest news with #MinistryofPrimaryIndustries
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Ministry of Primary Industries forecasts export revenue increase of 12% for food, fibre sector
The $59.9b predicted for 2024-2025 is $3b higher than was projected in the last SOPI released in December. Photo: AFP / William West New Zealand's food and fibre export revenue is expected to have reached $59.9b in the year ending June 2025, an increase of 12 percent from the previous year. Despite warnings that global trade tensions may affect New Zealand's overall export performance, the Ministry of Primary Industries has confidence the food and fibre sector is resilient enough to grow further, forecasting $65.7b 2029. MPI has released its latest State and Outlook of Primary Industries (SOPI) report, which takes a look at the state of the sector in the 2024/25 year. In the year to June 2025, dairy export revenue was forecast to have increased by 16 percent on the previous year to a record high of $27b, meat and wool 8 percent to $12.3b, horticulture 19 percent to $8.5b, forestry 9 percent to $6.3b and seafood 2 percent $2.2b. The increases are a rebound on the previous year's figures, which showed a 7 percent dip in 2023-24 on the year prior. Global dairy prices in general have been much higher this year due to weak global supply from key exporting regions like the US, and increased import demand from China. The same was said of meat and wool, with tighter global production and strong demand increasing the export revenue. Apples and pears were a large driver of the horticulture increase, due to increases in export volume and average price. The agriculture and forestry minister Todd McClay said the numbers reflected the hard work farmers had put in. "Farmers are innovating and they're becoming more productive, but also New Zealand's reputation around the world for high-quality, safe food is increasing," he said. The $59.9b predicted for 2024-2025 is $3b higher than was projected in the last SOPI released in December. MPI's director-general Ray Smith. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone In the report, MPI's director-general Ray Smith said tighter global production across dairy and meat, coupled with some favourable weather in New Zealand, had helped to improve export revenue. "It's an outstanding result that surpasses by $3 billion forecasts made in December and reflects the continuing strength and popularity of Kiwi products across the world," Smith said. Arable export revenue faced a small 1 percent decline to $340m, with processed food and other products also declining by 1 percent to $3.4b. The arable decline was due to weak ryegrass seed demand and a poor clover season, with the report predicting next season's exports were likely to remain flat amid market uncertainty. Overall, the report said the food and fibre sector was performing well despite "geopolitical turbulence, shifting trade policies and elevated uncertainty". While the forecasts are higher than last year's tracking in the short-term, MPI has revised longer-term forecasts downward. Forecast tracking in the June 2024 SOPI predicted that by 2028 export revenue would be $66.56b, but this year's predicts $64.32b by 2028. Tariffs were cited as a contributor to the ongoing trade uncertainty, though the report expected sectors would continue to grow despite that. "While this uncertainty may soften global demand and affect New Zealand's export performance, the food and fibre sector is generally more resilient than others, given its lower sensitivity to price fluctuations where commodities make up the bulk of our export revenue." Agriculture and forestry minister Todd McClay. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone An expected weakening in the NZD/USD exchange rate could also offset the effects of global volatility. However, the report acknowledged that uncertainty made it more difficult than usual to achieve a consensus in economic projections. "I think the modelling is probably on the gentler side. They're being cautious around this," McClay said. The government has set a goal of doubling the value of New Zealand's total exports by 2034. McClay, who is also the trade minister, remained optimistic. He pointed to trade deals like those with the EU, United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council which had recently come into force or were going to in the near future, as well as ongoing negotiations with India. "I've got negotiators up there talking to them at the moment. If we can crack that market, there will be extra opportunity for Kiwis, not only in the first year but in the decades to come," he said. "As long as farmers keep producing high-quality, safe foods, as a government we'll keep working to open the doors for them." McClay said during recent visits to China, he had observed there was increased demand for ready meals, and that was an opportunity for New Zealand to explore further. "They're looking for quality, they like the New Zealand story. They want to know where their food comes from, and they're willing to pay more for it." China remains New Zealand's largest market by a significant margin, with 31 percent of all exports. The United States is second on 12 percent, with Australia, the EU and Japan rounding out the top 5. China led in dairy, horticulture, forestry and seafood exports. The United States led in meat and wool exports, the EU in arable and Australia in processed food and other products. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Council Sets Fees And Charges For The Coming Year
Press Release – Kaipara District Council Starting 1 July 2025 and phased in over three years, domestic food businesses will be charged a Domestic Food Business Levy that Kaipara District Council will collect on the behalf of Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).Council has adopted new Fees and Charges for the 2025/2026 year at its May meeting. Every year Council reviews its fees and charges. Fees and charges are used to support the operation and maintenance of a variety of services provided to the community. They are set on a user-pays basis so that the costs passed onto ratepayers are kept to a minimum where possible. Some adjustments have been made to the proposed Fees and Charges, which was consulted on from Monday 7 April until Wednesday 7 May 2025. Some key changes for 2025-2026 include: General increase: Most fees not set by statute are to increase by 2.2 percent to account for current inflation, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Dog fees: The permit fee for keeping more than two dogs in a residential area are set at $180 (this is a one-off fee per property reflecting actual costs to permit). The non-working dogs annual registration fee is set at $78, and working dogs annual registration fee is set at $51, an increase of 2.2 percent (CPI). Temporary road closures: Bond for temporary road closures is set at $6000 to $10,000 for high risk events and an introduction of a temporary road closure inspections fee of $897. Elected members agreed that these fees may be waived for charitable and not-for-profit events. Starting 1 July 2025 and phased in over three years, domestic food businesses will be charged a Domestic Food Business Levy that Kaipara District Council will collect on the behalf of Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). Fees and Charges for 2025/2026 come into effect from Tuesday 1 July 2025. You can read the full Fees and Charges document at
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Council Sets Fees And Charges For The Coming Year
Council has adopted new Fees and Charges for the 2025/2026 year at its May meeting. Every year Council reviews its fees and charges. Fees and charges are used to support the operation and maintenance of a variety of services provided to the community. They are set on a user-pays basis so that the costs passed onto ratepayers are kept to a minimum where possible. Some adjustments have been made to the proposed Fees and Charges, which was consulted on from Monday 7 April until Wednesday 7 May 2025. Some key changes for 2025-2026 include: General increase: Most fees not set by statute are to increase by 2.2 percent to account for current inflation, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Dog fees: The permit fee for keeping more than two dogs in a residential area are set at $180 (this is a one-off fee per property reflecting actual costs to permit). The non-working dogs annual registration fee is set at $78, and working dogs annual registration fee is set at $51, an increase of 2.2 percent (CPI). Temporary road closures: Bond for temporary road closures is set at $6000 to $10,000 for high risk events and an introduction of a temporary road closure inspections fee of $897. Elected members agreed that these fees may be waived for charitable and not-for-profit events. Starting 1 July 2025 and phased in over three years, domestic food businesses will be charged a Domestic Food Business Levy that Kaipara District Council will collect on the behalf of Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). Fees and Charges for 2025/2026 come into effect from Tuesday 1 July 2025. You can read the full Fees and Charges document at View the council discussion and decision on the Kaipara District Council YouTube channel (from 1:15:52).
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Pest seaweed running rife in Fiordland sounds
A diver inspects a crop of pest plant Undaria which is causing issues in Fiordland. (file photo) The rapid spread of an invasive seaweed in Fiordland waters has forced a regional council to adjust how it deals with the is a fast-spreading pest that has established itself around the country over the past 30 years, including in Fiordland's Te Puaitaha/Breaksea Sound and Tamatea/Dusky Sound. Environment Southland has now revealed it is shifting away from large-scale control at those sites because it cannot contain it under existing budgets. Instead, it will target new infestations and concentrate on high-risk anchorages and moorings. 'This change will enable an increase of surveillance trips to high-risk areas and to act quickly if any new infestations are found - within existing budgets and resources,' council team leader marine Kathryn McLachlan said. The decision was made by a governance group which includes the council, the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Department of Conservation, with support from Fiordland Marine Guardians. The new approach had already been successful at Taiari/Chalky Inlet in 2019, with the area declared free of the pest last year, McLachlan said. Guardians chair Dr Rebecca McLeod said while the previous goal was to contain the plant to an area until eradication technology could be developed, it had now spread extensively throughout the two sounds. 'We appreciate that this incursion has now reached a size where efforts to reduce its spread and reduce the biomass are no longer effective.' The focus was now on containing Undaria within the two fiords and making sure new incursions were detected quickly, she said. Undaria competes with native species and travels by attaching onto ship hulls. Fiordland Marine Guardians urged operators entering Fiordland to check their hulls and gear were clean, and reminded that all vessels entering the region were required to hold a clean vessel pass from the council. The plant was not believed to have reached Fiordland until 2010, when a single mature plant was found in Te Puaitaha/Breaksea Sound. Environment Southland said it was also doing control work at Easy Harbour on Rakiura/Stewart Island. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
John Roche named as PM's new chief science advisor
Chief science advisor Dr John Roche Photo: Supplied The prime minister finally has a new chief science advisor, almost a year after his former advisor stepped down. Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) chief science advisor Dr John Roche has been appointed to the top job, which has been vacant since Dame Juliet Gerrard left in June 2024 . Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Roche would also serve as deputy chair of the Prime Minister's new Science and Technology Advisory Council, which included Sir Peter Gluckman - New Zealand's first-ever chief scientist. Science Minister Shane Reti would chair the council, which was announced as part of the government's major science reforms. In a statement, the prime minister said the council would provide advice on long-term priorities for government-funded science and innovation, and help identify areas that would benefit the economy. "I also expect them to provide bold and courageous advice about those areas that aren't delivering value for New Zealanders and may need to be deprioritised. "It's about making sure we are investing in what will have the greatest impact for New Zealanders." He said his new chief scientist, who was the principal scientist for animal science at DairyNZ and currently leads MPI's Mycoplasma bovis advisory group, would support robust decision-making by providing high quality, independent scientific advice. The prime minister's office has consistently said that an appointment to the chief science advisor role hinged on the Science System Advisory Group's review into the sector, led by Gluckman. RNZ recently reported that the final report was imminent and understands it was handed to the science minister at the end of April. Other members of the Science and Technology Advisory Council include Craig Piggott, the founder of a company that developed a collar to monitor beef and dairy cows; Dr Merryn Tawhai, who leads a research programme into the respiratory system at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute; Komal Mistry-Mehta, who heads up Fonterra's corporate venture capital arm; and Genesis Energy chief executive Malcolm Johns. The council will provide its first formal advice later this year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
