Dairy Rebound Tips Primary Sector Exports into Growth; Beef Forecast to Drop

NEW ZEALAND - A jump in the value of dairy exports is enough to restore growth to New Zealand's 2017 primary sector exports for the June 2017 year, according to the March edition of the Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries.
calendar icon 5 April 2017
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Dairy exports are forecast to rise 8.7 per cent to $14.5 billion in the 12 months ending 30 June, the Ministry for Primary Industries latest SOPI says. That's an improvement from the projection in December when growth of 3 per cent was forecast, reflecting rising prices but declining production. The improvement means total primary sector exports are now expected to rise 1.4 per cent to $37.5 billion in the year, compared with December's prediction for a 0.8 per cent decline.

A pickup in the value of dairy, forestry and horticulture more than offsets a slightly weaker projection for meat and wool in the ministry's latest forecasts.

"We expect dairy prices to continue to remain relatively stable (at higher levels than in the previous year) over the remainder of the season, buoyed by lower production coming out of the Southern Hemisphere," the ministry says. "In addition, record forestry harvest volumes are expected to drive an increase in log exports, particularly for use in the Chinese housing market."

The ministry echoed concerns cited this year by the Reserve Bank about the rise of trade protectionism as a threat to the New Zealand economy. "Protectionist sentiment is on the rise in Europe and the US, which will have direct effects on New Zealand as these are major trading partners," it said. "There also could be indirect effects through the impact these policies can have on China and the rest of Asia."

Meat and wool exports are forecast to fall 11.2 per cent to $8.2 billion in the year ending 30 June, reflecting lower production volumes, especially for beef, the ministry says. With record harvest levels, forestry exports are seen rising 5.8 per cent to $5.4 billion, driven by strong demand from China for logs and lower shipping costs.

Seafood exports are forecast to rise 0.8 per cent to $1.78 billion as strong global demand combines with declining stocks of major wild fish species to drive up prices. Volume growth would be driven by aquaculture, mainly mussels and salmon, it said. Exports of arable products are forecast to drop 12 per cent to $180 million, reflecting low demand for herbage seed and the impact of a strong New Zealand dollar, it said.

For 2018, total primary sector exports are forecast to rise 9.7 per cent to about $41.1 billion, just below the projection in December of $41.2 billion, with the forecast for dairy revised down to $16.8 billion from $17 billion while forestry exports are revised up to $5.9 billion from $5.6 billion.

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