Primary exports do it again!

AGRICULTURE MINIS -

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Damien O’Connor is talking up the latest figures, which show export returns from the primary sector year topped the $53 billion mark this year – an 11% increase on the previous year.

O’Connor described the result as outstanding and says it all happened in the face of global turmoil and uncertainty. The news came in the December report of the Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI), which produces quarterly updates on how the sector is tracking in terms of export receipts. It also provides commentary on this and the issues the sector has faced and could face in the coming year.

The report was unveiled recently at Fieldays before a group of industry leaders and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officials. It shows that the dairy industry was the main contributor to the increase. This was up by

SOME CHALLENGES AHEAD!

WHILE THE numbers look good and there are positive signs, there are also some headwinds.

The SOPI report singles out the weak NZ dollar as a significant contributor to the good result, saying this has helped offset some of the recent lower prices for our products.

It points to a slowdown of the global economy due to inflation pressure, the Russia/Ukraine conflict and China.

The latter is a big worry because it accounts for a large percentage of our exports.

The report notes that China’s goal of containing Covid-19 appears to have come at a significant economic expense – especially in the second quarter of 2022. It says mobility restrictions have depressed demand and affected supply chains.

On the other hand, it says there are signs of an improvement in shipping times and port delays.

On the home front, the report picks up on the impact of erratic La Nina weather patterns and the affect this has had on pasture growth and in turn milk production. It also highlights its severe impact on the horticulture sector, which has seen crops ruined by floodwaters and caused delays in the planting of other crops such as maize.

Another big concern is the sharp rise in farm expenses.

The SOPI report notes the farm expenses price index has increased by 15% in the year to the end of September 2022.

All of this, it would appear, will see farm profits reduced in real terms in the coming 12-months. For meat there are pluses and minuses. MPI says weaker purchasing power in key markets is likely to put downward pressure on prices as consumers adjust their budgets to the global economic downturn. It notes that sheepmeat and beef prices are already starting to weaken, but adds that with global meat supplies running tight, this may prevent a substantial fall in prices.

The news for dairy is better with the outlook for the coming year good and a suggestion that with the warm weather, pasture growth is picking up and milk production may do the same.

DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says the latest SOPI report shows that NZ still relies on the agricultural sector for its wealth.

He pointed out the significance of the fact that more than 80% of NZ’s export earnings come from the ag sector and, despite the challenges in front of the sector, its contribution continues to grow and be the major contributor to our export earnings.

Van der Poel says dairy exports make it possible for Kiwis to buy cars and medicines and all the items that people take for granted. He says if wasn’t for the dairy industry the country would be a very different place.

“People don’t connect the dots and realise this,” he says.

@rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews a massive 15% on the previous year to $22 billion and expected to increase by more than a billion in the coming year.

Another big contributor was the meat and wool sector, with export returns up by 18% to just over $12 billion on the previous poor season.

However, in the coming season, MPI is only forecasting a mere 1% increase. Overall, horticulture exports rose by just 2% to $6.7 billion –with a modest 5% rise expected next year. Forestry exports remain at about the 2021 level.

O’Connor claims that accelerating NZ’s export growth is a major cornerstone of the Gov-

Are you hitting your target market?

ernment’s economic recovery plan, and says the report shows further evidence that this plan is working.

He added that it’s comforting to know there is strong demand for food and fibre, keeping NZ’s economy better positioned compared to others.

“I think at the time when it is hard to shift a lot of our product, it’s a classic example of moving up the value chain and selling to consumers who want to connect with NZ.”

O’Connor admits people are uncertain as to what the future might hold for them, especially if they are hearing some of the advice from our customers offshore about how they want the food they eat produced. He claims that NZ is going to have to step up and reduce farm emissions to meet the requirements of our customers.

“That is the reality that we face and we do have to look forward and change, despite the fact that it can be difficult depending on the nature of a farm and the systems it is running.” t

Meanwhile, the report points to further uncertainty and disruption –geopolitical or climatic.

R h y t h m o n y x & s a m c u l l e n

J o n T o o g o o d ( S h i h a d )