Aussie drought and New Zealand: any impact?

[NewHampshireDem]

I am curious. What impact, if any, has the on-going drought in Australia had on New Zealand?

Am I correct in believing that NZ relies on imported produce and grain from Australia, and therefor a drought for Australia means higher food prices in NZ?

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Another drought: the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal)

Harvest estimates are down 20-80% depending on crop, area, etc.

--p!

[Violet_Crumble]

2. I'm not sure it'd mean higher prices in all areas......

New Zealand competes with Australia when it comes to dairy exports, so in that area the drought would be good for the NZ economy. I don't really know all that much about it, but I'd be thinking that if grain exports are going to be over 20% less than previously, then it would affect global markets and not just NZ....

Violet...

[Dead_Parrot]

3. Haven't noticed yet...

90% of NZ's imported crops come from Oz, (mainly wheat), but I've not noticed any change in price. It might be being off-set by an increase in domestic crops (we do have some, which make up about half our consumption): being a small island, warmer conditions make it wetter, not drier, and the homegrown yield is increasing even with a reduced crop area.

I need to get out more. :)

[Violet_Crumble]

4. Dumb question about NZ...

I've only been there twice and it was years ago, so forgive the silly question. Where in NZ are most crops grown? Is it in the area where the Canterbury Plains are? One of the main things I remember from being over there was it seemed to be the only flat bit of land in the entire country...

Violet...

[Dead_Parrot]

5. Yes-ish

Caterbury is probably the largest region, but a lot of the East coast is flat enough to be useful, along with the areas around Hamilton that haven't been paved over. There's also the Nelson area, but that is mainly vinyards. (Priorities!)