Nimble New Zealand exporters finding opportunity amid shifting trade terms
Global trade wars and uncertain tariff regimes could play into the hands of many New Zealand exporters, according to Gareth Coleman ANZ’s Head of Trade & Supply Chain.
The Wood Council of New Zealand says the forest and wood processing industry is happy the TPP.
The deal will remove tariffs on wood products across the 12 TPP countries.
"We have yet to see the detail, but we understand that all tariffs on logs and wood products will be reduced to zero. That represents a $9 million saving," says Wood Council chair Bill McCallum.
"While this is not a huge sum in the context of a trade worth $1.5 billion, we anticipate there will be bigger prizes arising from the TPP Agreement."
McCallum says the TPP has focused on tariff reduction and elimination, however with wood products the Council suspects that non-tariff barriers are a much greater impediment to trade.
"Technical barriers that have no scientific justification can prevent the import or use of imported wood products. Subsidies enjoyed by domestic wood processors can also make it impossible for imports to compete fairly."
The Council says the TPP will help exporters of NZ processed wood products who have struggled in the past to compete in markets where they have been excluded by tariffs that escalate rapidly as value is added to a raw material.
"These lost opportunities are not included in the $9 million saving, because current tariffs make exports unprofitable." says McCallum.
Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
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