South Korea remains one of New Zealand’s most valuable and dynamic markets for deer velvet — but it is also a market in transition. A closer look at quarantine statistics, product launches, and trade reporting through to the third quarter of 2025 shows trends in how Korean manufacturers are sourcing, processing, and positioning deer velvet in the health and well-being category.

After years of persistent advocacy, the deer industry is proud to celebrate a significant policy shift announced by the Government: agricultural emissions will not be priced, and methane targets have been revised to reflect the science of no additional warming. 

From a New Zealand perspective, the most exciting B2B (business-to-business) partners in Vietnam may be food manufacturers — companies that already sell ginseng, cordyceps, collagen, or royal jelly capsules and are looking for a next-generation ingredient to grow their consumer brand.

The 28th floor of the Majestic Centre in downtown Wellington was a fitting location for the high-level talks at the NZDFA Branch Chairs meeting. This year, 17 chairs and three ‘new faces’ gathered for insight and a lot of lively discussion on a raft of deer farming-related topics.

As the second year of the North American Retail Accelerator (NARA) programme progresses, the sector is facing the new tariff headwinds with a pragmatic mindset and strong sense of purpose. With the introduction of the 15 percent tariff in early August, it's clear that market conditions are unlikely to get any easier in the short term.

When New Zealand velvet players think about export markets, the two names that come up are China and South Korea. And yet, just over the horizon, there’s a new name beginning to emerge — one that may not have the same scale yet, but which offers a unique blend of timing, openness, and growth potential: Vietnam.

Succession challenge | Beetlemania and more... | Meet and Greet: Merryn Pugh | Busy winter for EWS | 11th International Deer Biology Congress | Velvet season approaches with VelTrak terms updates | Velvet supply dynamics | Mountain River sets sights on regen standard | Deer are a price competitive alternative | New research underway | Venison the priority as deer return to Argyll hills | NZDFA: New Blood, Multi-species field days | People: Mike’s legacy | Deer worm management in a mixed-species system and more...