NEWS
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
Flow begins after 25 years!
A different shade of blue for Norwood. PAGE 20
PAGE 7
MANAGEMENT Outstanding in her field and more to come. PAGE 18
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS MARCH 12, 2024: ISSUE 796
www.ruralnews.co.nz
Shipping crisis deepens PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
THE SHIPPING crisis caused by Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea and problems with a lack of water in the Panama Canal appear to be deepening by the day. Many of the ships heading to Europe with NZ produce are being forced to take the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, adding an extra two weeks to the journey to some of NZ’s major markets. One of the companies affected is Silver Fern Farms and its GM sales, Peter Robinson, says they have been told that there appears to be no easy fix to the present situation. “We’ve been told that disruption in
the Red Sea area could continue for many months or even years,” he told Rural News. Robinson says shipping companies are passing on the cost of re-routing, resulting in additional supply-chain costs for product on the water. He says the Middle East is also
affected, with the main port into Saudi Arabia in Jeddah virtually inaccessible. Instead ships are unloading at Dammam Port in the Persian Gulf and carting containers inland an additional 1600km to their destinations, Robinson says. “Empty containers must then
be returned to Dammam Port adding further costs to importers.” Robinson says Silver Fern Farms (SFF) is closely monitoring timeliness of refrigerated containers due to longer journeys on land and sea. He says while it has successfully managed container
availability so far, they are advised disruption in this region could continue. Robinson adds that SFF will continue to work closely with its global freight partner Kotahi, to ensure the product they work so hard to produce can make it through to customers in the UK, Europe and Middle East.
A TASTE OF HONEY! Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and the chair of ApicultureNZ Nathan Guy were the main speakers in an event to launch a new strategy for the honey industry. The aim of the strategy is to propel the industry to being a significant exporter and to double the value of honey exports by 2030, with a focus on manuka honey. In 2022, honey exports were worth about $4.5million, of which manuka exports accounted for just over $4 million. The industry has had a roller coaster ride in recent years with the value of exports fluctuating and other challenges within the sector itself. – See story p5
Rethink drenching. It’s time to change our approach to parasite management in livestock. Change starts now with a conversation. Talk to your vet or visit ChangeItUp.nz Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Tel: 0800 963 847; www.zoetis.co.nz. TRACTA23116_RN