Food & Beverage sector in New Zealand

The New Zealand FMCG industry imports $2.4 billion worth of goods each year. As the country’s largest manufacturing sub-sector, food & beverage makes a huge contribution to the economy via its 30,000 companies.

Market overview

New Zealand households continue to increase their spending on food, with an increase of $15 per week from 2007-2010. At $178, this equates to approximately 18% of weekly expenditure.

More British foods are appearing on supermarket shelves and with the FMCG industry worth $15billion in retail sales, this is promising for UK food exporters.

British confectionary is particularly popular, with a number of British Lolly shops opening around the country. British confectionary is readily available in department stores around Christmas time.

Trends are towards healthier eating, with tastes becoming more sophisticated and open to international foods.

Key opportunities

• Opportunities exist for UK companies to provide guidance on environmental best practice for producers in this industry. Lack of knowledge is the main reason companies are deficient in these policies.

• High quality, specialty foods are an area of opportunity for UK companies, along with organic and special dietary foods which are becoming more mainstream. Specialty beers and non-alcoholic beverages are also areas of growth.

• The Government is investing $21million over 5 years to develop the Food Innovation Network. This involves creating a cluster of food & beverage companies around the Food Bowl which will be a centre for R&D. There will be four regional hubs with an individual focus based on the region’s strengths

Latest export opportunites – Food & Drink

Latest export opportunities – New Zealand

Getting into the market

Tariffs for food items entering New Zealand range from 0-5%.

UK exporters should be aware of biosecurity regulations for foods entering New Zealand. These are in place to ensure that New Zealand continues producing some of the safest foods in the world.

To get products into the two major supermarket chains, companies should contact head offices direct, or use a distributor/importer that specialises in their product category. New Zealand supermarkets will not accept foods with a shelf life of less than 3 months.

More about doing business in New Zealand

Contacts

Market intelligence is critical when doing business overseas, and UKTI can provide bespoke market research and support during overseas visits though our chargeable Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS).

To commission research or for general advice about the market, get in touch with our specialists in country - or contact your local international trade team.

• Barbara Harris, British Consulate-General Auckland. Tel: +64 (0) 9 303 5018 or email: barbara.harris@fco.gov.uk.

• Deirdre Bonis, British Consulate-General Auckland. Tel: +64 (0) 9 303 5015 or email: deirdre.bonis@fco.gov.uk.

Contact your local international trade team

Major Events

Fine Food NZ

17-19 June 2012

Website address: www.finefoodnz.co.nz

The Food Show

2-5 August 2012

Website address: www.foodshow.co.nz

UKTI Events

UKTI runs a range of events for exporters, including seminars in the UK, trade missions to overseas markets and support for attendance at overseas trade shows.

Latest events – Food & Drink

Useful links

More about OMIS and other UKTI services for exporters