Author Archives: Editor

About Editor

Hailing originally from the UK, Ali Spencer has spent over 25 years working with the New Zealand trade not only here in New Zealand, but also in the UK and Europe. She regularly contributes meat industry material for Food New Zealand and more occasionally for Vetscript. In the past, she has also contributed material for Deer Industry News, NZ Meat Producer and European News (the former NZ Meat Board’s European newsletter).

Tesco to run hybrid nutritional labelling scheme

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UK retail chain Tesco, a major customer for New Zealand’s meat exporters, has had a change of heart over traffic-light nutritional labelling,  says online food trade magazine Just-Food.

This is a major change in strategy for Tesco which up to now has supported the Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) approach, the magazine says. Responding to consumer research, Tesco made the announcement last week that it will now be using a hybrid labelling system, including both GDA and traffic light systems.

Philip Clarke, Tesco’s chief executive said Tesco has led the way by giving shoppers clear information about the food they eat and was the first retailer to put nutritional information on the front of its packs in 2005 when it rolled out its GDA labels.

“We always listen to our customers and they have told us by combining our popular GDA labels with traffic light colour coding we can make it even easier for them to make informed and healthy choices about the food they buy,” he said.

The news has been welcomed by British health minister Andrew Lansley, NGOs and public health groups.

The consumer research was conducted by Penn Schoen and Berland and involved 1,002 UK adults aged over 18 in a quantitative online survey.

 

Overseas investment bill defeated

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The Greens’ private members bill restricting, in other words banning, all sales of farmland of more than five hectares to an overseas investor was defeated last week by two votes, writes Allan Barber in his latest blog.

In the article which has also appeared at interest.co.nz, he argues that the Labour Party’s new position,”in support of the Green’s xenophobic attempt” suggests the party has moved light years away from its position of five years ago, when it issued the ’2007 Export Year’, “which says nothing significantly different” from the recently released progress report ‘Building Exports’, part of the current National Government’s Growth Agenda.

“Without overseas investment and shackled by our high debt level, New Zealand cannot possibly aspire to the optimistic export goals of successive Governments from both sides of the political divide,” he says.

He talks to Federated Farmers chair Bruce Wills and compares the NZ situation to Australia’s and concludes that New Zealand can’t afford any reduction in the relative contribution made in 2011 by meat, dairy, wool and horticulture (43 percent of export goods or 34 percent of goods and services), whether or not any progress is made towards the Government’s target.

“Changes of the kind represented to Parliament last week would present a massive head wind.”

Read more …

Burgerfuel’s growth in Middle East

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Auckland-based meat exporter and franchisor Burgerfuel is using its range of halal menu options to fuel its growth in the Middle East, according to a halal market article in NZ Trade & Enterprise’s latest Export News e-newsetter. The company has recently opened outlets in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and is now looking further afield in the region. Marketing manager Alexis Lam says the fact that grass-fed New Zealand beef has been halal for some time made the initiative viable in the first place.  “There seems to be a healthy respect for the Halal certification we have in New Zealand,” says Lam. Read more …

Rump steak to biltong

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New Zealand beef rump steak makes excellent biltong, Sciencelens photographer Gerry le Roux and his wife have found. His wife made the pictured biltong – cured meat – right here in New Zealand from a “nice piece of New Zealand rump” steak. Gerry says it’s a very popular delicacy to anyone (who isn’t a vegetarian) who grew up in South Africa, as he did. “And it is (to me) a great meaty snack to nibble on as an alternative to chips or other salty snacks.”
(Photograph ©Sciencelens – used here with permission).

 

 

Venison industry planning productivity improvement

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Moves are afoot to improve the productivity of New Zealand’s venison herd, which could result in an average carcase weight of 64 kg in ten years time, a better quality and improved supply of venison for exporters, along with improved earnings for producers.

A group of 40 participants have had input to the Productivity Improvement Programme report which was endorsed by the Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) board in mid-July, after having received support at the 2012 Deer Industry and CERVETEC conferences and endorsed by the New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association.

Concluding that the venison industry’s productivity mantra ‘More deer, heavier, earlier and better‘ remains valid, the Productivity Leadership Group, lead by Wanaka veterinarian and farmer Dr Mandy Bell, realised that productivity improvements to date had taken place in the market. They determined that money will be better spent now achieving practice change in the deer industry, rather than generating new knowledge. The report has emphasised the importance of implementing new knowledge and best practice on farm and says that the goal of productivity improvement is to produce more profitably, rather than simply increase volume.

Critical areas of the programme of work are: to better manage deer to maintain and achieve optimal health; to look at improvements in feeding; and in the areas of genetics and physiology.

The PLG has calculated achievable targets and an understanding of ‘The Prize’, based on the successful implementation and reasonable levels and rates of adoption of the programme of work among deer industry participants. Targets include an additional nine kg to bring the average carcase weight to 64kg in 10 years time, an increase of 2.8 percent per year for kg output per hind and an additional $1.48 per kg output (earnings before interest and taxes) by 2022.

The draft programme of work is to be discussed with participants in the Productivity Improvement Programme. DINZ is currently planning the implementation of the work and how best to fund it.

You can read more about it in Deer Industry News (issue 55, pages four to five). Click on the photograph above for a pdf of the magazine.

New Zealand’s young retail butcher of the year

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New Zealand’s young butchers have been competing for the 2012 Alto Young Butcher of the Year title.

After an intense day of Grand Final competition, Peter Tuapawa, from Victoria Park New World in Auckland, narrowly beat Abigail Smith, from Pak’nSave Kaitaia for the title.

Kim Doran, from Retail Meat New Zealand, says the race came down to two points.

“Peter and Abigail had tied the Auckland regional competition last month, so we always knew it was going to come down to the smallest of margins,” says Doran.

The finalists in the competition all underwent an exam, interview, practical test and on stage challenge.

“The competition prizes include cash and study tours, but more important for the finalists’ is the title and the chance to say they’re the best in the country,” says Doran.

The other winner on the night was Jared McLeod, from Regent New World in Whangarei, who took out the RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year category.

McLeod says it was unreal to win.

“I really wasn’t expecting it, the competition brought together the best apprentices New Zealand has to offer. It just feels great to come out on top,” says McLeod.

The competition is proudly supported by Alto, Retail Meat Industry Training Organisation, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc., Dunninghams, Hellers, Kerry Ingredients, NZ Pork, Wilson Hellaby, Cabernet Foods, Natural Farm and Tegel Foods.

 

Frozen beef leads rise in export value for meat

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Frozen New Zealand beef led an increase in export value for meat and edible offal in July 2012, compared with July 2011, according to Statistics New Zealand (SNZ).

The latest figures show export value for meat and edible offal grew by $25 million (6.9 percent) during the period led by frozen beef, which increased by $22 million. Exports of beef to the US increased by $19 million, leading a $35 million (11 percent) growth in overall exports to that market. This corresponded to a $19 million fall in the value of beef exports to Indonesia.

Meat and edible offal is still trending upwards in value since its recent low point of February 2012, but is still 11 percent lower than its record high point in July 2011, according to SNZ.

Overall, the value of exported goods rose $296 million (eight percent) in July 2012 to $4 billion, compared with July 2011. This was led by a rise in the value of milk powder exports, says SNZ.

Imports rose $383 Million (11 percent) to $4 billion, with all three broad economic categories – capital, intermediate and consumption goods – rising in value.

The trade balance for July 2012 was a small surplus of $15 million (0.4 percent of exports). This compares with a surplus of $103 million (2.8 percent) of exports in July 2011.

Seasonally adjusted exports fell 0.4 percent and imports fell 1.5 percent compared with June 2012. Most major export commodities fell, offset by milk powder, butter and cheese, which rose 20 percent, reports SNZ.

Trading with Russia

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Exporters trading with Russia will be focusing on Vladivostok as trade talks take place there next week.

A delegation of business people is participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Chief Executive Summit and related meetings in Vladivostock, Russia, during the week of 3 September, according to the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF).

“The Vladivostock meeting takes place as Russia takes up its long-awaited and welcome entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and as further progress is made to build the foundations for future growth in the Asia-Pacific region,” says NZIBF executive director Stephen Jacobi.

“New Zealand has a major stake in the future economic success of the Economic APEC region which takes over 70 percent of our exports. Negotiations now underway amongst eleven APEC economies to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are aimed at eliminating trade barriers, reducing the cost and complexity of doing business and providing a pathway to a future Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP). New Zealand is also negotiating a free trade agreement with the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.”

Russia’s 2012 chairmanship in APEC is promoting the domestic economy’s organic integration into the system of economic ties in the Asia Pacific Region (APR) in the interests of modernisation- and innovation-driven economic development, primarily in Siberia and the Russian Far East.

The fourth and final meeting this year of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will take place in Vladivostock 3-6 September. ABAC members will present their views and recommendations directly to APEC Economic Leaders, including Prime Minister John Key, on 8 September. They will be joined at the APEC CEO Summit 7-8 September by several New Zealand chief executives.

This year’s Summit – under the theme Addressing Challenges. Expanding Possibilities. – will explore how business can contribute to future prosperity in the region through trade liberalisation, safe food and water supply, infrastructure development, the fostering of innovation and new transportation routes.

In the year ending December 2011, Russia was 14th on the list of New Zealand’s top trading partners. The country imported $44 million (fob) worth of New Zealand sheepmeat and about $11 million worth of frozen New Zealand beef.

Channelling innovation

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The Government released the second of its six progress reports –  Building Innovation – under its Business Growth Agenda this week. The move has been welcomed by the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

Building innovation is central to building a more competitive and productive economy, said Prime Minister John Key at a business breakfast launch for the report earlier this week, adding that it gives a clear picture of the more than 50 policy initiatives the Government has underway to improve innovation, competition and the commercialisation of smart ideas and research into new products.

It calls for a doubling of the amount businesses spend on research and development, from 0.54 percent of GDP to more than one percent of GDP.

MIA chief executive Tim Ritchie has welcomed the report, saying that the meat industry is “all for anything that helps in that area.” Industry is very interested in innovation and already has a number of initiatives in place, he says.

“Individual members are involved with a number of Primary Growth Partnership projects, while the industry has also invested in Ovine Automation Ltd, a consortium of nine MIA member companies and the government that is looking at bringing a step change in sheep processing through the use of automation.”

This all adds to innovations individual meat companies are working on in their own workplaces, like Silver Fern Farms’ robotics projects, Ritchie explains.

New Advanced Technology Institute

Meat exporters will also benefit in the future from the new Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) that was announced this week will be named after the late Sir Paul Callaghan. It is to receive $166 million over the next four years and is one of the initiatives to grow business research and development further.

The Institute will be a one-stop shop that will help high-tech firms become more competitive by better connecting them with innovation and business development expertise within the institute, around the country and internationally, Steven Joyce, science and innovation minister says.

‘It will focus on industries with significant growth potential such as food and beverage manufacturing, agri-technologies, digital technologies, health technologies and therapeutics manufacturing and high-value wood products.

“The ATI will take over some business development functions that are currently within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This will include the administration of some business research and development grants,” Joyce says.

A seven member establishment board has been tasked with having the ATI up and running by the end of the year. Chaired by Sue Suckling, who led the set up of AsureQuality NZ and NZQA, other board members include Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) director and former New Zealand Game Industry Board and Cervena Ltd chairman Richard Janes and Dr Michele Allan, who has leadership experience across many facets of the Australian food industry. They join IRL chair Michael Ludbrook, entrepreneur Neville Jordan, Auckland Transport director Paul Lockey and Plant and Food Research chair Michael Ahie.

Strong support in business community

Business NZ says that there is strong support in the business community for the Government’s systematic approach to building innovation. The ATI is a centrepiece of the innovation policy, says BNZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly.

“But there are many other initiatives including expanded TechNZ funding, better, government procurement policies, National Science challenges, more funding for the Performance-Based Research Fund, refinement of trademark and patents law, more investment in engineering at tertiary institutes, encouragement for multi-nationals to conduct research in NZ and others.

“It is up to business to innovate and grow and take up the Government’s invitation to keep the lines of communication open and provide feedback on how we are travelling towards a high-tech future.”