One of Canada's largest businesses, Viterra is about to join New Zealand's wool industry.  

Canadian based global agri-business Viterra, has been handling grain in NZ since 2009 and is now intent on becoming a large buyer in the New Zealand wool market.

Viterra has employed two local wool traders, Rokelay Wool NZ, and Marquet Trading, to help give them a better understanding of New Zealand's wool varieties.

New Zealand Wool Exporters Council executive manager Nick Nicholson says that Viterra's move into New Zealand's wool industry is going to be positive for New Zealand farmers by giving them a little competition.

"We've always believed that competition is the best possible thing for farmers. Competition for their wool means they are going to get a better price, and at a time when supply is a bit short.

"Sure that'll put pressure on supply even more, but nobody is too concerned about that, and it's very good for the farmer.

"Exporters are generally accused of competing in the market place, but infact their main competition is for wool, so really it's a healthy arrangement."

Nick Nicholson says that with Viterra's huge experience around the world, New Zealand should be confident that Viterra will help increase production in the wool industry, rather than hinder it.

"We've had all these schemes and plans thrown at us over the past few years,  where, quite frankly, people who have not sold or bought a bale of wool in their lives, have promised farmers to add $2 to the price of wool, and they are going to save the wool industry, and all that, which we've always regarded as rubbish.

"These guys have developed into one of the biggest, if not the biggest, exporting firms out of Australia, so they know what they are doing. They are not going to be disruptive."