Tuesday, 02 May 2023 12:55

'Zero protection for local cheesemakers'

Written by Sudesh Kissun

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Whitestone cheese managing director Simon Berry.

Local cheesemakers are facing competition from subsidised frozen EU imports flooding the NZ market, tariff-free, says Whitestone Cheese managing director Stephen Berry.

Berry says NZ's open door trade policy provides zero protection to New Zealand domestic producers.

"Inferior industrially bulk manufactured EU cheese are becoming more and more prevalent in our market as a result."

Another challenge facing local cheesemakers is accessing naming rights already used in Europe.

Cheese produced in New Zealand branded as 'feta' will have to find another name under the free trade agreement (FTA) the Government recently secured with the European Union.

The deal includes what are referred to as geographic indications (GI), which are names of products unique to a certain area that a country or market wants to protect.

"The naming rights of feta is an opportunity for NZ producers to stamp our quality mark on our own NZ fetas, separating them from the inferior EU bulk industrial shipments. It will be interesting to see if Danish feta cheese, where the majority is produced in Europe, is able to use the Greek certified name," says Berry.

More like this

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.

$2b boost in NZ exports to EU

New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

Boutique cheesemaker Cranky Goat in voluntary liquidation

Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.

Changing global trade ties

OPINION: I recently returned from a market visit overseas, including the United Kingdom and Europe. These are critical, historically important and increasingly high value markets for our red meat exports.

From the CEO: A changing trade environment

Did you know that nearly 90% of total New Zealand wine sales occur offshore? That simple number means our wine businesses are the most export oriented of all the global wine industries. It also makes our sector especially sensitive to any changes in the trade rules that govern the access of our wines into international markets.

Featured

Alliance Group chief executive steps down

Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.

New field book helps identify common pests, diseases

A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

Taranaki farmer fined $15,000 for illegal NAIT tag swapping

A Taranaki farmer and livestock agent who illegally swapped NAIT tags from cows infected with a bovine disease in an attempt to sell the cows has been fined $15,000.

Genetics, Efficiency and Performance: How the Burgesses are raising the bar at Te Poi

Bill and Michelle Burgess had an eye-opening realisation when they produced the same with fewer cows.

From Love to Leadership: Leah Prankerd’s commitment to New Zealand dairying

It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying. Decades later, it's her passion for the industry keeping her there, supporting, and inspiring farmers across the region.

Rangitīkei farmers take lead in water quality monitoring

Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective (RRCC) chairperson Roger Dalrymple says farmers in his region are taking a national lead in water quality awareness and monitoring.