Red meat exports up

Latest export figures from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) show New Zealand’s red meat exports (excluding veal and co-products) were up $1.2 billion (21 per cent) on 2016-17 to over $6.7b in 2017-18 on the back of sustained high value per tonne and increased volume for lamb, mutton, and beef. Total lamb exports were over $3.1b, up 25 per cent on 2016-17 and 28 per cent higher than the five-year average, with the average value of lamb exports staying over $10,000 per tonne for the entire season. Total mutton exports reached $618 million, up 46 per cent on 2016-17. Total beef exports exceeded $3b, up 14 per cent on 2016-17 and up 17 per cent on the five-year average. In 2017-18 China overtook the United States as New Zealand’s largest red meat export market by value. launch reflects the growing importance retailers are placing on developing truly sustainable products, underpinned by ethical land management and animal welfare practices by farmers. The men’s blazers (above) and waistcoats feature Kiwi lambswool, grown by accredited Wools of New Zealand growers. “This is wool in the 28-31 micron range, more traditionally used in the production of interior textiles. It’s a big step for crossbred wool and it’s tremendously exciting to see our wool moving into high end attire,” said Wools of NZ chief executive Rosstan Mazey. “It also validates our ongoing investment in the technologies and assurance programmes that allowed this to happen.”