Worldwide demand for venison exceeds supply and high prices and excellent growing conditions have combined to create one of the best seasons in years for New Zealand’s 3000 plus deer farms.
Venison returns are up by $1-150 per kilogram, velvet returns remain at good levels, and deer growth rates have been outstanding since Christmas.
Innes Moffat, Deer Industry New Zealand marketing services manager says the high NZ dollar is taking the cream off the top of the export market prices, but that good returns are sustainable.
The venison market is worth between $220-250million annually, most of which goes to Germany and northern European countries. World wide New Zealand venison is exported to over 30 countries around the world.
New Zealands national herd of 1.2 million deer is expected to grow if venison prices stay high. --Source: country99tv.co.nz