Located in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is an isolated island far away from continents. It enjoys pleasant climate, fresh environment, and temperate maritime climate with small temperature difference in four seasons. Coupled with high forest coverage and vast grassland, the island is known as “the world’s last pure land”.
Rich and fertile land in New Zealand produces the world’s premier animal husbandry, dairy industry and orchard farming industry, which, combined with rich immigration and localization, make foods in New Zealand fresh, diversified and unique.
Over the past 20 years, the export of New Zealand’s wine, honey, aquatic products and avocado rose surprisingly. Today, New Zealand’s food and beverage industry is favored by investors from around the world. The country has also become one of the world’s largest exporters of foods and beverages, whose export accounts for nearly 50% of New Zealand’s total export. New Zealand is not only one of the world’s largest dairy and lamb exporting countries, but also one of the countries that export most beef, kiwifruits, apples and seafood.
Asia is New Zealand’s largest export market. Developing markets, especially China market, are a huge driving force for the growth of Zealand food and beverage export. New Zealand was the first western country that signed FTA with China. Bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries develop rapidly. New Zealand’s seafood, dairy products and fruits enter China market in great volume. Export of New Zealand kiwifruits to China increased from S$ 94 million in 2012 (S$ 1 amounts to about RMB 4.9) to S$ 373 million in 2016. In the past year alone, China’s consumption of New Zealand kiwifruits increased by S$ 119 million. At the same time, China is also the largest importer of dairy products from New Zealand.
New Zealand is one of the countries that have the most stringent management measures in food sector. In order to ensure food safety, all products from New Zealand should be certified by MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries). In addition to international quality certification system, New Zealand Food Safety Authority and the Food Standards Australia New Zealand are also primarily responsible for protecting consumer rights, which create New Zealand’s true reputation as a safe food supplier.
Dairy Products
Being reputed for safe and high quality food, New Zealand’s dairy products constitute 35% of international dairy trade. New Zealand has the highest animal health standards and is a world recognized country free of mad cow disease, sheep pruritus and foot and mouth disease. New Zealand’s native dairy cows are fed with completely healthy pastures and not affected by hormones, antibiotics and insecticides.
China is currently the largest dairy export market of New Zealand, with 70% of its imported milk products coming from the country. In the past, dairy products exported from New Zealand to China were mainly milk powders. In recent years, exported products have become more diversified. The proportion of exported milk powders to dairy products decreased from 80% in 2014 to today’s 65%, while that of higher value added liquid milk, cream, ice cream, yogurt and other products have slightly increased.
Seafood
New Zealand is an island country with a long coastline. Its waters are far from contamination sources and therefore very clean, producing rich seafood. Its seafood is exported to more than 70 countries and regions.
Starting from the Maori, marine industry has played an important role in New Zealand’s business, culture and recreation. The country has the world’s fourth largest coast regulatory fishing area. Its seafood production accounts for about 1% of the world’s total catch, with its sales occupying 2% of global sales. In 2011, New Zealand became one of the only two countries that achieved the best practices in international fishery management system audit. In terms of marine resource management, the same year’s research report selected New Zealand as an outstanding country among 53 fishery producing countries around the world.
At present, accounting for 1/3 of New Zealand's seafood exports, China has become New Zealand’s largest seafood importer followed by Australia, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Spain, France, Germany and Thailand.
Honey
Due to pollution-free natural environment, New Zealand's honey has always been known as the world’s best honey. In particular, Manuka Honey is the national treasure of the country. It contains ingredients that have a strong and unique anti-bacterial and antioxidant capacity which helps build people’s immune system and promote natural healing. Manuka is known for its distinctive flavor and antimicrobial properties.
New Zealand’s volume of honey export ranks the 16th in the world, but its value of export rank the 3rd, second only to China and Argentina. This is because New Zealand’s unique Manuka honey accounts for 80% of export volume, which greatly improve the value of New Zealand honey.
New Zealand’s largest export markets for honey are Australia, Britain, China and Hong Kong. At present, the international demand for honey is about $ 2.1 billion. In order to meet the growing demand for high-end honey, New Zealand plans to increase the output value of Manuka to S$ 1.2 billion in 2028.
Fruits
Speaking of New Zealand’s fruits, the most famous one is kiwifruit.
New Zealand’s kiwifruits are marketed to 70 countries around the world, accounting for nearly 28% of the world’s total output. Every year from May to December, 70% of kiwifruits in the international market come from New Zealand. The ratio can even reach 80% in Europe.
Fruits in New Zealand are mainly exported to European market. In recent years, Japan and China have growing demand for fruits from New Zealand, and have become the second and third largest consumers of New Zealand fruits.
In terms of fruit variety, New Zealand kiwifruits and apples take the lead in export volume, of which kiwifruits account for 60% and apples for 30%.
