Having trouble reading this? View it in your browser. Not interested? Unsubscribe instantly.

Message from the executive director

As we near the end of 2018 and survey the bigger picture of the trade landscape, while there are ongoig delays with some negotiations - see our Trade Update below - what is exciting is that the CPTPP is coming into effect next month. Finally! 

What a great way to start the new year. We're all looking forward to seeing Kiwis start to feel the benefits of this long-awaited trade deal. Interesting and exciting times ahead. See more on what we can expect in the NZ Herald article below.

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

Trade Update

In this month's trade update: differences between China and the US disrupt APEC leaders meeting coomunique, presenting a challenging time for hosts Papua New Guinea. 

Surprise problems have emerged wth the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) process, calling for more time needed. Likewise, delays look likely with the Pacific Alliance negotiation too. More...

Export Excelerator Conference – 7 December

ExportNZ's Export Excelerator conference returns on 7 December in Auckland, with a friendly team of elite exporters (including winners and finalists from the last decade of ExportNZ Awards) delivering more insights and tips than you can shake a stick at – all in four hours. Spaces are limited so register now to secure your spot.

 Learn more and register->>

Kiwifruit, beef and wine sectors picked to be CPTPP winners

New Zealand kiwifruit, beef and wine producers will benefit most from the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, along with smaller agribusinesses such as mussel and cherry producers, Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor said.

The CPTPP trade and investment pact will come into effect next month after Australia's ratification pushed the deal across the minimum acceptance threshold.

The deal has been ratified by New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Singapore. More...

New Zealand announces support for Pacific exporters

New Zealand will contribute $US9.3 million over four years to support the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA) programme, New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister has announced.

PHAMA Plus is a joint New Zealand-Australian initiative that will target export products of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Niue and Cook Islands.

Mr Peters said it would help producers, processors and exporters improve their productivity, quality of production, and capacity to biosecurity requirements. More...

Hawke's Bay product Jazz voted UK's tastiest apple

Jazz has again been voted the UK's Tastiest Apple'after T&G Global's grower Baretilt Farm in Kent picked up the accolade at the UK's National Fruit Show.

Developed in New Zealand and first grown in Hawke's Bay, Jazz is a cross between Braeburn and Royal Gala. Today, it is grown in 10 countries under a closely controlled quality growing programme, managed by trademark owner and one of New Zealand's largest horticulture exporters, T&G Global (formerly Turners and Growers).More...

UK running out of food warehouse space as no-deal Brexit fears rise

Owners of storage facilities say demand has reached ‘fever pitch’ since last week’s chaos.

Britain is running out of food warehousing space as retailers and manufacturers rush to stockpile amid growing fears of a no-deal Brexit, it has emerged.

Frozen and chilled food warehouses, storing everything from garden peas to half-cooked supermarket bread and cold-store potatoes, are fully booked for the next six months, with customers being turned away, industry representatives said. More...

EU to outlaw routine use of antibiotics in farm animals

The European Union will ban the routine use of antibiotics in farming from 2022 but industry leaders in New Zealand say the final wording of the law will determine its impact here.

MPs voted 583 to 16 in favour of the ban, which would curb the use of antibiotics on farms in an effort to stop the spread of drug-resistant "superbugs" and improve animal welfare...

However, the requirement to meet EU standards could be an issue for New Zealand dairy exporters, Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis said.

"It could impact our exports and change how some farmers do things but it will depend on the final wording of the legislation," he said. More...

Nutty business calls for some out-of-the-jar thinking

Four and a half years ago, Roman and Andrea Jewell founded Fix & Fogg. Previously both lawyers, they made the choice to leave behind the corporate life and dedicate their time and energy to creating something meaningful, sustainable, and delicious. They decided to make the best nut butters.

They started out at local markets and specialist shops – gift and design shops as well as food. Their peanut butter was then spotted by a buyer from Wellington’s iconic Moore Wilson’s, and this marked a significant stepping stone. What makes them different to your average peanut butters you might buy from the giant brands at the supermarket is that every jar of Fix & Fogg nut butter is carefully blended and made from start to finish in their Wellington factory.

“We’re completely hands-on throughout the entire process,” says Thom Brooks, General Manager. “We think our award-winning butters are so popular because people can taste the difference in a product that’s handmade by humans who care about quality.” More...

C Beard

Blockchain system for exporters could speed trade up

A blockchain-based system which would speed up the paperwork needed for exporting is being tested in New Zealand.

ASB Bank and technology firm VerifyUnion unveiled the technology on Thursday with one of the country's biggest meat exporters Greenlea Premier Meats making the first trade with a large Korean importer.

The technology creates a safe place where exporters can upload and share certificates of origin, government approvals, traceability information and other key documents with importers. More...

Auckland’s supply chain complications

National Road Carriers Association and the Ports of Auckland are combining forces to promote change in the supply chain to improve delivery times and prevent delays.

This initiative has come about because of supply chain capacity issues which were highlighted following an accident at Ports of Auckland in August. Imported freight has taken longer to deliver and exporters have encountered delays getting their goods away, leading to frustration all round.

“The supply chain is running at capacity, so unexpected problems can have a domino effect,” says David Aitken, National Road Carriers CEO. “At its heart, the problem is Auckland’s growth.”

The solution is going to come through a combination of technology, better planning, greater co-ordination and a move to 24/7 working throughout the supply chain. 

Contact: David Aitken, National Road Carriers, (09) 6222 429, 021 771 911 or david.aitken@natroad.co.nz OR Matt Ball, Ports of Auckland, 021 495 645 or ballm@poal.co.nz

World-first NZ tech changing the global agricultural landscape

New Zealand agritech companies are creating world-first technology to help feed the world and lead the way in their industry, AgritechNZ chief executive Peter Wren-Hilton says.

Technology is making life easier, from eco-friendly cars to faster software and tech improvements are benefitting Kiwis in everyday life, he says.

"The same goes for agritech innovation such as crop protection and plant biotechnology which is improving the lives of farmers and consumers around New Zealand.

"Robotics Plus is one New Zealand agricultural robotics and automation company which has been largely responsible for seeing revolutionary robotic apple packers going global.

"They are initially targeting the US, Australian and New Zealand markets which is fuelling a period of accelerated growth." More...

Company of the year: Zespri - Bearing fruit

The kiwifruit marketing body — which represents 2500 New Zealand growers — lifted profits by 38 per cent to $101.8 million in 2018.

And it expects higher returns still in 2019, forecasting earnings of up to $180m and a dividend per share of up to $1.40, compared to 76 cents per share last season.

Growers have every reason to smile at that sort of performance and it's one reason why Zespri snared the Deloitte Digital/Marsh Company of the Year Award.

But the judges were also quick to point out that those returns aren't a one-off. They also represent the culmination of Zespri's long-term strategy and dedication to innovation.

Paviour-Smith said the kiwifruit industry was an example of how to add value to primary sector exports. More...

Doing business in France?

A French intern could be highly valuable to your business if you're considering doing business with France, or you already are, and would like to give your operations a boost.

This French business school student is seeking a three-month internship in the field of digital marketing or events with a New Zealand company, from January to March 2019. She is currently, in her second year studying at the ECE - BBA INSEEC, an International Business School in Bordeaux, France.

View CV here->>

ExportNZ
Newsletter Archive
Missed an issue of The Exporter? Click here to access all previous issues in our Newsletter Archive.