Topic “In the News” — Exporter Magazine

New Zealand recorded record exports by value in March, driven by shipments of dairy products to China and contributing to a larger-than-expected monthly trade surplur, according to the NZ Herald. New Zealand’s Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter has announced an $850,000 contestable fund to drive further growth of our second-largest export earner, the red meat industry. General Mills had been hotly tipped as a likely winner of the bidding auction, which has attracted approaches from the likes of Nestle, Bel and The Bright Food Company. This is because the US food company already holds a license for the Yoplait brand in North America. The report said, adding a sales tax of 20% to sugar-sweetened beverages could result in a daily average reduction of 6.9 calories per person. Over the course of a year, this would equate to about 0.7 pounds in weight loss. A 40% tax would result in a 12.5 calorie reduction, and annual weight loss of about 1.3 pounds per person. According to the market analyst, factors that have led to a shift back to previous trends in 2010 include rising disposable income levels, consumers reverting again to trading up and a growing demand for convenience features. Whole milk powder auction prices rose for the first time in six week, according to Bloomberg, citing figures from Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd., the world’s largest dairy exporter. Ice creams with added pre- or probiotics can be formulated to have good nutritional and sensory properties, according to FoodNavigator.com, citing a new study published in the Journal of Dairy Science.