Allan Barber

Allan Barber assesses MPI's latest SOPI update of a sector that now delivers more than half of our export earnings. This is a progress report on building resilience through strategic trade depth

Allan Barber assesses MPI's latest SOPI update of a sector that now delivers more than half of our export earnings. This is a progress report on building resilience through strategic trade depth

Allan Barber traces the challenges, costs, and disappointments of generic country of origin marketing for red meats, and warns that brand building for low margin product is hard requiring long-term patience

Allan Barber traces the challenges, costs, and disappointments of generic country of origin marketing for red meats, and warns that brand building for low margin product is hard requiring long-term patience

Allan Barber notes that 2024 was yet another tough year for the capital intensive red-meat processing industry. He suggests the cooperatives make it hard for themselves by not being as disciplined as they should be with procurement

Allan Barber notes that 2024 was yet another tough year for the capital intensive red-meat processing industry. He suggests the cooperatives make it hard for themselves by not being as disciplined as they should be with procurement

Allan Barber reports Alliance sees a return to profit, but no salvation from endemic underperformance. Too much debt, and a history of not resolving that, brings the banks back into the driver's seat

Allan Barber reports Alliance sees a return to profit, but no salvation from endemic underperformance. Too much debt, and a history of not resolving that, brings the banks back into the driver's seat

Allan Barber points out the sort of damage the 'dinosaur' views of some in the rural sector could do if they won the argument to abandon our climate commitments. It would be a spectacular trade own-goal

Allan Barber points out the sort of damage the 'dinosaur' views of some in the rural sector could do if they won the argument to abandon our climate commitments. It would be a spectacular trade own-goal

Allan Barber wonders what makes most sense for the red meat livestock sector in a future of uninspiring demand and low returns

Allan Barber wonders what makes most sense for the red meat livestock sector in a future of uninspiring demand and low returns

Nathan Guy responds to the accusation the red meat industry hasn't done enough, or showed the sticking power necessary, to build its brand internationally

Nathan Guy responds to the accusation the red meat industry hasn't done enough, or showed the sticking power necessary, to build its brand internationally

Allan Barber bemoans the red meat sector’s record of failure to develop a promotional strategy that works and stick to it

Allan Barber bemoans the red meat sector’s record of failure to develop a promotional strategy that works and stick to it

Allan Barber says overcapacity in older South Island processing facilities is bringing a reckoning, challenges the red meat sector must face even though regulatory roll-back is taking place

Allan Barber says overcapacity in older South Island processing facilities is bringing a reckoning, challenges the red meat sector must face even though regulatory roll-back is taking place

Allan Barber says other than a white knight emerging, Alliance will have to rely on the tolerance of its bankers, more focus on costs and working capital, and praying for a substantial improvement in market conditions

Allan Barber says other than a white knight emerging, Alliance will have to rely on the tolerance of its bankers, more focus on costs and working capital, and praying for a substantial improvement in market conditions

Allan Barber says the red meat processing problem will be tough to solve by combining businesses lacking basic profitability

Allan Barber says the red meat processing problem will be tough to solve by combining businesses lacking basic profitability

The persistent decline in sheep numbers from forestry conversions, drought and poor returns has driven the closure of Timaru's Smithfield works. Allan Barber looks at the capacity challenges the industry is facing

The persistent decline in sheep numbers from forestry conversions, drought and poor returns has driven the closure of Timaru's Smithfield works. Allan Barber looks at the capacity challenges the industry is facing

Allan Barber says pastoral farming for food has a doubtful future when the government incentivises polluters to plant trees to avoid reducing their emissions. The impact of carbon farming has screwed the scrum already

Allan Barber says pastoral farming for food has a doubtful future when the government incentivises polluters to plant trees to avoid reducing their emissions. The impact of carbon farming has screwed the scrum already

Allan Barber finds a local company in the final stages of confirming a 75% reduction in methane emissions from cattle on pasture over 100 days - funded by NZ public money but targeting Australia for launch

Allan Barber finds a local company in the final stages of confirming a 75% reduction in methane emissions from cattle on pasture over 100 days - funded by NZ public money but targeting Australia for launch

Allan Barber sees food production becoming a distant second in land-use priorities in what could have profound impacts on our economy and ability to pay our way in the world

Allan Barber sees food production becoming a distant second in land-use priorities in what could have profound impacts on our economy and ability to pay our way in the world