Media Release
8 August 2008
Light At The End Of The Tunnel
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s forecasting of a surge in agricultural export earnings is excellent news as
it will help to lift the economy out of the current recession, says New Zealand First primary production spokesperson
Doug Woolerton.
“The growing international demand for food, expanding overseas markets and more favourable exchange rates bode well for
New Zealand exporters in the agricultural sector, with revenue expected to reach $23.9 billion in 2012. The wider
primary sector is also forecast to achieve record highs.
“This is very good news for our exporters and our suffering economy, and puts us in an enviable position globally.
“It is important to note that for New Zealand to capture the full benefits of upstream processing, our plants need to be
New Zealand owned so the profits flow back here rather than into some foreign boardroom,” said Mr Woolerton.
ENDS