Message from the Chair | Velvet: The most emotive word in the deer industry? | In Brief: Wild deer a growing problem and more... | Meet and Greet: Terry Meikle | Velvet: A fraught space, Stand firm | Venison: New cuts broaden appeal | Special Report: Wild! | Deer Industry Research Strategy | Deer present a compelling diversification option for sheep-beef systems | Counter-trend strategy pays off for Manawatu partnership | nProve another selection tool for velvet growers | Herd host: The ongoing ecology of yersinia in deer and more...

DINZ and the Export Licensing Working Group (ELWG) continue to advance the export licensing work programme in direct response to what farmers and processors have asked us to explore: a more disciplined, transparent, and market-aligned system that strengthens New Zealand’s position in Asia and supports long-term value creation for velvet. 

Earlier this month, DINZ Trade and Strategy Manager Damon Paling was in Beijing to attend the Xifeng Deer Industry Promotion Conference — a major national gathering held at the Xi Guo Mao Hotel and the CCTV Agricultural Film Centre.

The 2025/26 velvet season is now well underway, and many farmers are feeling the weight of a second complicated year, coming off the back of last year’s market access resolution and lower prices. Prices have eased again, and with rising on-farm costs, margins are tight for a lot of growers

Vietnam presents a promising long-term opportunity for New Zealand deer products, but meaningful commercial outcomes are contingent on one thing: restored market access.