Trade, Investment, and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay travelled to the United Kingdom to participate in the first in-person joint NZ-UK Ministerial Trade Committee.
This also marked the second anniversary of the entry into force of the New Zealand-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
“Better access to overseas markets is an important part of the Government’s economic plan to grow the economy and create better-paying jobs,” said Minister McClay.
The NZ-UK FTA has seen a 21 percent boost in Kiwi exports worth an additional NZD 644.4 million over the two years since the deal came into force. This has been delivering real benefits for Kiwi exporters.
“The results speak for themselves; goods exports to the UK have risen by 20 percent, and services exports are up over 22 percent in just two years, and the primary sector is leading the way with big increases in food and fibre exports along with travel and tech.”
- Meat exports are up 46 percent to nearly NZD500 million
- Dairy exports are up a staggering 139 percent, worth NZD198 million
- Fruit and nuts are up 52 percent, worth NZD54 million
- Travel service exports are up 22 percent to nearly NZD1 billion
- Tech-related services exports are up 50 percent to NZD221 million
While in the UK, Minister McClay will meet with his trade and agriculture counterparts, the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as the UK Trade Envoy to New Zealand, Carolyn Harris.
He will also engage with key partners and stakeholders, including Waitrose and the National Farmers Union, visit local farms, and connect with New Zealand businesses operating in London.
The UK is New Zealand’s seventh-largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth NZD7.27 billion. In 2024, New Zealand exported NZD3.69 billion in goods and services to the UK.
Minister McClay will then travel from the UK to Korea to participate in the APEC Trade Ministers meeting, where he will hold bilateral meetings with APEC and CPTPP trading partners.
More local FMCG news here
