Prices for log exports are slowly improving, but a forestry consultant says the sector must find new international markets to reduce its reliance on China.
A record year of log exports helped offset the impact of reduced bulk liquids trade for Port Taranaki, and a strong 2020-21 full-year financial result, the company reported.
“With forestry exports worth more than $6 billion to New Zealand annually, the industry is incredibly important to the nation’s economy and the region’s economy. “Port Taranaki is the key gateway for log exporters sending the region’s product to international markets, so we’re pleased to be able to play an integral role in support of this increasing trade.” Roper said the high export tonnage was the result of trees reaching maturity, a good relationship with export customers, marshallers and stevedores to improve services, and demand for New Zealand logs. Aside from 2019-20, when low commodity prices and COVID-19 had a marked impact on the industry, in recent years Port Taranaki has reported record year-on-year growth in log volumes, he said.
âFrom March 2020 to date, we have donated 1,248,900 bananasâ
Banana company One Bananas has their own sustainable farms in Guatemala, Ecuador and Peru. Robert Adams, President of One Banana Co. says: âLate last year, eastern Guatemala and Honduras were severely impacted by two hurricanes: Eta and Iota, causing devastating damage to farms and communities. This was in addition to the Covid crisis that was already impacting communities.â
Demand returning to normal after turbulence of 2020
Throughout 2020, demand patterns for the banana industry were affected by the covid crisis. Now, it seems to be slowly returning to a somewhat more normal pattern of demand. âDemand has been stable, as we begin to see retailer and wholesalers slowly begin to recover from the pandemic,â says Adams. While conventional bananas have seen some ups and downs throughout the pandemic, the demand for organic produce seems to have actually risen during the pandemic.