Early Bird I Wednesday April 16th 2025

Farmers on track to meet 2030 methane targets, apple exports lead the charge in growing Vietnamese market, and new awards celebrate Kiwi native forest restoration efforts.

Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!

 

Farmers on track to meet 2030 methane target

Latest figures show New Zealand farmers are successfully driving down methane emissions without the need for additional taxes or emissions trading schemes. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay confirmed the agriculture sector is on track to achieve a 10 percent reduction in biogenic methane by 2030.

The newly released Greenhouse Gas Inventory for 1990-2023 reports a further 2 percent drop in agricultural emissions last year alone. McClay says these results validate the government's decision to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme and abandon the previous Labour government's He Waka Eke Noa proposal.

New Zealand farmers remain among the world's most carbon-efficient food producers, however, McClay emphasizes that emissions cannot be reduced through converting productive farmland to forestry or by further cutting stock numbers.

The government plans to introduce legislation this year restricting full farm-to-forest conversions while supporting methane reduction through a $400 million investment in science and innovation. 

McClay acknowledged farmers for their hard work and commitment to innovation, noting the latest emissions reduction was achieved without implementing Labour's proposed taxes or putting a price on methane.

 

McClay voices concerns over US tariffs in letter to Trump administration

Todd McClay who is also Minister of Trade has written to his American counterparts expressing concern about the harm President Trump's tariffs will do to New Zealand and Pacific Island nations. While his officials have been in discussions with the United States Trade Representative, McClay has not yet spoken directly with anyone in the Trump administration.

In his letter, McClay outlined strong reservations about the tariffs and their potential damage not only to traders on both sides but also to Pacific Island economies. 

McClay welcomed the 90-day pause on additional tariffs for countries like China, which faced a potential increase to 145 percent. He believes an agreement between the US and China would benefit global trade by providing much-needed certainty, noting that if these two largest economies slow down, all countries including New Zealand would feel the impact.

The Government has maintained a measured approach since the tariffs were announced, with McClay emphasizing they quickly decided against retaliation.

 

Apple exports lead the charge in growing Vietnamese market

Meanwhile trade officials are actively pursuing market access for a wider range of fruit and vegetables into Vietnam following recent success with squash and strawberries gaining entry to the rapidly growing Southeast Asian market.

The Ministry for Primary Industries confirms Vietnamese officials are currently considering a request for new access for New Zealand pears, with avocados and summer fruit next on the priority list. MPI's divisional manager for bilateral relations and trade, Steve Ainsworth, says their efforts involve both maintaining current trade flows and opening up new opportunities. No requests for access have been declined by Vietnam to date.

The focus on Vietnam comes as New Zealand apple exports to the country reached $126 million last year, making it the second-largest market after China. Kiwifruit exports totaled $30 million and cherries $10 million, with industry leaders seeing significant growth