Good Result Gives Horticulture Room to Grow

October 6, 2015

Good Result Gives Horticulture Room to Grow

The overnight signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal ushers in a new era of trade for New Zealand’s horticulture industry.

“We want to congratulate the government, particularly Minister Groser, for their determination and patience in seeing this deal through.

“This is a goal that has looked at times to be almost impossible to score, and they’ve finally done it,” Horticulture New Zealand president Julian Raine says.

The most critical result in the deal for New Zealand horticulture exporters is the reduction of tariffs to Japan.

This will have a significant impact on the earnings of growers of kiwifruit, buttercup squash, capsicum, onions and virtually all other horticulture exports to Japan.

Japan is New Zealand horticulture’s third largest market and the elimination of tariffs will benefit New Zealand producers by an estimated $28 million per year.

Market access is an issue the New Zealand horticulture industry works with on a daily basis and it is a key aspect of the industry’s goal to achieve value of $10 billion by 2020.

“As always, we keep an eye on opportunities in markets all over the world.

“We will now be keen to see what impact the settling of the TPP agreement will have on other markets in the region, not included in the original 12 signatories.

“We look forward to capitalising on this very significant trade agreement,” Julian says.

ENDS

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