Trade experts warn of US tariff risks to NZ exports
Two leading New Zealand trade experts warn that the 15% tariff slapped by the US shouldn't be taken lightly.
NEW ZEALAND'S middle-of-the-road 'space' in export markets has a potential three billion people, Trade Minister Tim Groser says.
"Our space in the market has not been always at the absolute top end. That's for Louis Vuitton and companies like that," he said at the recent opening of dairy-based manufacturing and marketing company New Image Group's new $10 million plant at Penrose, Auckland.
"It certainly isn't at the low end – it's that middle... [where] we do well, whether it is tourism, education or food and beverages. That's New Zealand's space and it's a very good space to be in.
"We now have through the extraordinary economic development occurring in emerging Asia, a middle class that is our market and it did not really exist in a meaningful way until recently.
"It is now about 500 million and all the projections tell us that as soon as 2030... that's going to be 3 billion people.
"That is our market; China is the single most important part of that. I am also very conscious of other great countries like India, Indonesia, Philippines – all of these other countries have a great future ahead of them."
Groser jointly opened the new plant with New Image executive chairman Graeme Clegg.
Among new capabilities of New Image's Penrose plant is HPP technology used to manufacture its new health drink called Col + colostrums to add to the company's range of colostrum-based health products
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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