NZX, New Zealand’s market operator, has taken another step towards expanding its dairy derivatives market into the US with approval to allow direct access for American customers. NZX is now a registered Foreign Board of Trade under the US Commodity Exchange Act, allowing US investors’ direct access to trade in New Zealand dairy derivatives. Whole milk powder options and futures, …

The Ministry for Primary Industries will impose a controlled area in Whangarei and is contacting international partners after finding a Queensland fruit fly in the country’s northernmost city. The ministry plans to restrict the movement of fruit and vegetables out of a defined area in Whangarei as it looks to minimise the risk to the local horticultural industry after discovering …

New Zealand manufacturing activity expanded for a 15th straight month in December, with more production likely in the coming year on strong new orders and dwindling inventories. The BNZ-BusinessNZ seasonally adjusted performance of manufacturing index slipped to 56.4 from 56.7 in November, but was up from 50.7 in December 2012. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector. New …