21 OCTOBER 2019
2019 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer: Exporters expect an increase in 2020 activity, yet cautious about international
marketplace
•50% of exporters have seen international orders increase over the last 12 months, and more than half remain optimistic
that international orders will increase in the next 12 months
•Cost of exporting cited as a major concern for Kiwi exporters
•Positive changes for the environment have increased; with 49% of exporters having implemented sustainable initiatives
Auckland, 21 October, 2019: The 2019 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer released today offers compelling insights into the state of New Zealand’s
exports and a glimpse into trends and opportunities in 2020.
One of the key findings is that while offshore markets are receiving an extensive variety of Kiwi goods, New Zealand
exporters have experienced a slight softening in their export orders over the past 12-months.
According to the research – which was conducted among more than 400 New Zealand exporters - 50% of Kiwi exporters
experienced an increase in export orders; this is down from 52% in 2018 and 55% in 2017. Despite the softening of
exports, expectations for 2020 are positive, with 61% expecting an increase in export orders. This could indicate that
the demand for quality Kiwi products from international markets will always be there, but Kiwi exporters need to be
nimble in their approach to get their products out globally.
Kiwi exporters have indicated they are more cautious about the international marketplace, with the cost of exporting at
the forefront of their concerns. Kiwi exporters have cited ‘the level of the New Zealand dollar’ and ‘concern about
increasing costs in New Zealand due to coming industrial regulation’ as the two major barriers to exporting. While the
increased costs may not have directly affected them personally yet, it remains a concern as the international trade
dispute escalates.
DHL Express New Zealand Country Manager Mark Foy said that this year’s results highlight that Kiwi exporters should
prepare for challenges ahead, but it is pleasing to see Kiwi businesses remaining confident for the coming year.
“The number of New Zealand exporters investing in innovation, new product development and sustainable initiatives to
reach international audiences is a testament to the strength of our exporting community here in New Zealand and the
reason why the rest of the world will always want our Kiwi goods.”
In the ever-changing global marketplace, Kiwi ingenuity has proven once again to be the main driver among the New
Zealand exporting community with just under half of Kiwi exporters surveyed tapping into new initiatives to reach
international markets. The results also indicated that Kiwi exporters are getting behind a sustainable future, with 49%
implementing sustainable initiatives.
Catherine Beard, Executive Director of ExportNZ said, “The sentiments of Kiwi exporters are upbeat in the face of
considerable international uncertainty. However, despite the confidence to manage the uncertainty, there remain strong
concerns with staying competitive in the face of increasing industrial relations costs, which weighs on small to
medium-sized firms when they make export decisions.”
Challenges ahead and what is next for exporters
Sustainable Future
2019 has been the year of focus on climate change and the impact that everyday life is having on the natural
environment. This has led to a change in the way things were once done for many Kiwi exporters, with 49% indicating they
have made a conscious effort to make a positive impact on the environment. These include the implementation of
recyclable / biodegradable packaging, removing plastic, managing waste and utilising electric vehicles. DHL is also
taking a stand to be more sustainable, launching its first fleet of electric delivery vehicles in New Zealand earlier
this year, with an aim to reduce all logistics-related carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
This year, over 170 DHL Express New Zealand customers have signed up for DHL’s GoGreen Carbon Neutral service, which
allows them to opt for an environmentally responsible shipping option and helps to combat climate change by offsetting
emissions throughout the transportation of shipments.
Cost of exporting
Surveyed exporters have expressed their concerns about the New Zealand dollar, with 38% of Kiwi exporters citing this as
a major concern – a 13% increase from 2018. Furthermore, the survey indicated that exporters are showing apprehension
around the increasing costs in New Zealand due to the coming industrial regulation, with 29% citing this as a concern.
Exporters look to the government for support
29% of exporters agree that attending trade shows with other New Zealand companies is a strategic way the New Zealand
Government could support international business growth and a further 25% said that more help with non-tariff barriers
(market access, regulations in other countries) is needed. More than half of respondents rated ‘ExportNZ’s national
advocacy of free trade negotiations, and working with Ministers and Government agencies to reduce trade barriers and
make exporter concerns known’ as one of the most important factors to export growth.
Tapping into the digital world
Many Kiwi exporters are still not tapping on the digital potential, with 47% of those surveyed not utilising any digital
platforms to generate online orders, an increase from 42% in 2018. This may also indicate that a large number of Kiwi
exporters are selling to other businesses and distributors (who are not present on social media), rather than to end
consumers.
Of those that do utilise the internet, company websites and Instagram are the top two online platforms, with the number
of Kiwi exporters generating 80 – 100% of export orders online increasing four percentage points (from 19% in 2018 to
23% in 2019), and the number of exporters who are not generating any online orders decreasing from 30% in 2018 to 28% in
2019.
ends