increase font size
Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg.
The horticulture sector is a big winner from recent free trade deals sealed with the Gulf states, says Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg.
Grigg says the free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed with the United Arab Emirates (UAE CEPA) are set to boost hort exports.
In a letter to HortNZ this week, Grigg noted that both the United Arab Emirates and the wider GCC region are becoming increasingly competitive markets, but New Zealand horticulture exporters can rest assured that tariff free access has been secured.
Horticulture is a key export to the UAE, exporting $44 million in the year to June 2024.Hort exports to GCC amount to $72m annually.
Grigg says the deals will make doing business easier with preferential access for primary sector exporters, streamlined customs processes, and reduced trade barriers.
“As with the UAE CEPA, the GCC FTA will lock in existing tariff free access, with eventual elimination of tariffs on all other horticulture exports to the region. Peas and sweetcorn for example, worth over $2 million in trade combined to the GCC, will see the 5% tariff removed over the next five years.
“New Zealand will have duty-free access for all horticultural products by year ten, with tariffs removed on 92% of horticultural trade on entry into force. This agreement complements the UAE CEPA and represents an important milestone in the Government’s efforts to grow our international connections and double exports by value in ten years.”
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
There is an appeal to New Zealanders to buy local citrus fruit.
Avocado growers are reporting a successful season, but some are struggling to keep their operations afloat following years of bad weather.
Horticulture and commercial vegetable growers in particular stand to be major beneficiaries of radical proposals by government to make sweeping changes to RMA regulations.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it is delighted by the Government’s announcement that it would invest $250,000 in the organisation.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…
