Drop in farm sales across Manawatū-Whanganui reflects busy sector and impact of Covid-19, says institute stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Manawatū-Whanganui’s retail sales hit $861 million over the first three months of the year, up 10.6 per cent on the start of 2020. Federated Farmers Manawatū president Murray Holdaway said commodity prices were high for everything except wool, which had boosted farmers’ confidence. That likely encouraged some spending that had a flow-on effect for the rest of the regional economy. “But it’s a fragile confidence, farmers face an uncertain future and there’s a lot that could upset that.” Farmers were concerned about factors such as rising compliance costs, but their most pressing concern was a labour shortage. Holdaway said other sectors had the same struggle thanks to the pandemic and a relatively low unemployment rate.
Push to move away from monoculture farming in order to survive stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has addressed farmers concerns about the trade war between Australia and China during a recent visit to Manawatū.
New Zealand farmers are nervous a trade war between our biggest trade partner and closest ally could spill to our shores. But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was unlikely the quarrel would entangle New Zealand and force it to take sides in trade disputes and accusations of foreign interference. During a recent visit to Palmerston North, Ardern told
Stuff New Zealand s diplomats had given China a smack on the wrist – bringing an end to diplomatic action.