Listen to The Country online: Fuel, fertiliser and freight in New Zealand

The impact of rising fuel prices on the freight industry was in focus on The Country today. Photo / 123rf

Today on The Country radio show, host Jamie Mackay catches up with independent economist and the chairman of Transport NZ, Cameron Bagrie, Rabobank’s animal protein analyst Jen Corkran, and Shanghai-based correspondent Hunter McGregor.

The topic of the day is how the conflict in the Middle East has affected fuel, fertiliser and freight in New Zealand.

On with the show:

Cameron Bagrie:

An independent economist and the chairman of Transport NZ.

What are we seeing across livestock transport?

Plus, we look at the exchange and interest rates, inflation and the NZX50 being down 7% in March.

And what are the best and worst-case scenarios?

Jen Corkran:

Rabobank’s animal protein analyst discusses New Zealand red meat fundamentals.

What are the real flow‑on effects of the Middle East conflict for fuel, freight, fertiliser and on-farm costs?

Hunter McGregor:

Our Shanghai-based correspondent comments on fuel, fruit, pork, beef and forestry.

Dan Boulton:

The chief executive of Silver Fern Farms, the country’s largest meat company, talks about the annual result, which has delivered a net profit after tax of $29.1 million for the 2025 year.

And he is still bullish about beef, lamb and venison, despite the Middle East conflict.

Jo Luxton:

We ask Labour’s ag spokeswoman why she was missing in action at last week’s Federated Farmers’ High Country Field Day.

And will she finally come out with some ag policy in the election year?

Listen below: