Citrus NZ urges Kiwis to support local growers
There is an appeal to New Zealanders to buy local citrus fruit.
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.”
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?