Nimble New Zealand exporters finding opportunity amid shifting trade terms
Global trade wars and uncertain tariff regimes could play into the hands of many New Zealand exporters, according to Gareth Coleman ANZ’s Head of Trade & Supply Chain.
The 3.1% increase in fruit and vegetable exports in 2011 is a great result given the negative impacts of a 6.5% rise in the value of the New Zealand dollar and difficult market conditions in the same period.
Horticulture New Zealand says the increase is worth $100 million to this country.
The just released edition of the horticulture industry handbook, Fresh Facts, shows fruit and vegetable exports have increased to NZ$3.3 billion in 2011.
One of the key factors which enabled the industry to continue to grow has been the shift in sales focus towards Asia and Australia.
"We have seen a five-fold increase in fruit and vegetable exports to Australia in 10 years which shows just how reliant that market has become on high quality New Zealand produce," HortNZ chief executive Peter Silcock says.
At the same time exports to Asia have doubled, taking advantage of New Zealand's new free trade agreements and targeting growth markets across that region.
A strong 9% rise in processed vegetable products (frozen, canned and dried) and the 4.5% growth in processed fruit exports are also pleasing.
"This means we are adding more value onshore," Silcock says.
Over that past decade exports to Australia have risen from NZ$159 million in 2000 to $756 million in 2011 despite ongoing issues around market access for products like apples, potatoes and kumara.
The Australian market is expected to continue to increase in its importance to New Zealand producers.
"It is a very tough market out there right now for exporters and while Europe and the US are still important markets the strongest growth is coming from markets closer to home which is positive.
"Exporters are realigning to growth markets which are closer to us and Australian consumers have obviously come not just to trust, but to rely on high quality New Zealand product.
"We have a vision to increase the value of the New Zealand horticulture industry to $10 billion by 2020, and we are half way there.
"Australia is one of the key markets that will help us get to that goal," Silcock says.
Fresh Facts is produced by Plant and Food Research with support from Horticulture New Zealand.
View the latest copy, and previous copies, at www.freshfacts.co.nz.
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.