8 December 2005
Interest Rates Hurting Farmers
Higher interest rates, an over-priced kiwi dollar, and lower commodity prices are squeezing farmers' export returns,
said Charlie Pedersen, President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc).
"Agricultural products are still the largest contributors to exports, and the sector is a primary driver of economic
growth. Lower farm gate prices for our key commodities cause farmers to close their wallets, which severely impacts on
provincial economies and eventually on cities, said Mr Pedersen.
According to the November ANZ Commodity Price Index, commodity prices were down from October for wool (down 5.4%), skins
(down 12.2%), dairy (down 1.0%), lamb (down 0.9%) and beef (down 2.1%).
"The Reserve Bank understands the plight of exporters and that business confidence is falling. But its job is being made
much harder by government policies that are prolonging the consumer spending spree and therefore pushing up interest
rates.
"The government needs to cut back on the rapid growth of its spending, which has jumped a staggering 50 percent in six
years. It must also do more to improve the business environment through reducing the tax burden, maintaining a flexible
labour market, improving infrastructure, reforming the RMA, and attacking compliance costs," said Mr Pedersen.
ENDS