NEW ZEALAND
The decline in the European sheep flock and the drought in Australia have caused great demand for NZ beef and lamb.
New Zealand only filled 77pc of her American beef quota last year, due to supply and financial restrains caused by the strong NZ dollar.
The sheep meat quota’s to Europe will be filled and the sheep flock is well above normal.
There is a danger that lamb production could go into decline as the present commodity prices are making arable farming look attractive, where cultivation is possible.
NZ expects export meat volumes to decline in 2009 with the this current trend to move away from livestock..
Pasture based farming can only benefit from the rise in commodity prices and feed for cattle.
Having said this both farming options will be attractive to the NZ farmers and the future looks bright on both sides arable or livestock, NZ has built a good reputation for quality of product in the beef and the dairy sector.