Differences between Australian and NZ meat industries

Information obtained from Sydney based consultancy agInfo shows a very high degree of procurement competition for domestic market supply, especially for beef; this situation has been driven by a tightening of livestock supply combined with aggressive pursuit of retail market share by Woolworths.

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It isn’t all the meat companies’ fault

I’m not a frustrated farmer who has to worry about the prospects for the new season or put up with receiving less money than expected for my stock, but for the sake of sanity and balance I believe it to be necessary to examine the factors affecting market returns. After a very relaxing holiday blessed by good food, wine and weather, I returned to find the north had been hit by almost incessant rain, meaning a late spring, and the meat industry beset by rumours of procurement wars combined with dire livestock predictions.

Sicily a melting pot for food production

Sicily has been taken over by the Saracens, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans,  Swabia, Austro-Hungary and Spain, before Garibaldi led the rebellion that led to the unification of Italy under one monarch, Vittorio Emanuele I, in 1861. Each of the occupying powers has brought something different to the food and agricultural produce of this unique island.

Trade benefits need selling to New Zealanders

Just when we thought New Zealand was about to enjoy the benefits of several new agreements, not least TPP, the world appears to be growing more and more averse to signing up to trade deals. There is a distinct trend towards self-reliance and protectionism among countries that have up to now been champions of the benefits of free trade, most obviously sizable blocs of voters in the United States, EU and Great Britain exercising their democratic right to protest.