The Pacific region’s trade with New Zealand has gone from strength to strength in the last decade, with all parties enjoying an ever-cooperative trade and economic relationship.
While there have been obvious restraints within the past 18 months due to the global pandemic, there are still growing opportunities for businesses in the Blue Pacific to export into New Zealand.
In 2020 Pacific exports to New Zealand totalled NZ$95.5 million compared to NZ$99 million achieved the year before. Comparatively, New Zealand’s total exports to the Pacific in 2020 were NZ$1.1 billion compared to NZ$1.3 billion in 2019.
Figures for 2021 show a continued upward trajectory of volumes of fresh produce exported to New Zealand from our Pacific neighbours, with the bulk destined for the diaspora communities across New Zealand’s north and south islands.
Much of the region’s exports to New Zealand come from the rich and fertile lands of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu in the form of root crops and seasonal fruits, and vegetables including kava.
Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand (PTI NZ) has represented the best products the Pacific Islands have to offer the New Zealand market for more than 30 years. Changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which curtailed travel, have put significant pressure on our abilities to promote trade. This makes trade shows like Fine Food NZ an extremely useful pathway to generate new export opportunities.
In June PTI NZ sponsored three brands from the Blue Pacific to feature in New Zealand's leading food service, food retail and hospitality trade show, Fine Food NZ.
Fine Food NZ is a biannual food and beverage trade event that averages 7,000 trade visitors, and 300 exhibitors from the very competitive, highly sought after NZ food and beverage industry leaders. PTI NZ has had built a wealth of contacts and built solid relations within the industry since our involvement in Fine Food NZ.
Aude Douyère, PTI NZ’s Trade Development Manager, said attendees to the show are the decision makers for products entering New Zealand cafés, restaurants and supermarkets.
“They are a motivated audience who are equipped to help our Pacific producers expand their reach into the New Zealand market. It is a great opportunity for Pacific Island producers and exporters to connect directly with food service providers, wholesalers, stockists and distributors.”
This year PTI NZ supported Nishi Foods (Tonga), Fine Foods Ltd (Vanuatu) and Ashon Ventures (New Zealand). Next year, it hopes to double this number.
Joanna Bourke, who represented Nishi Foods, said it was a great opportunity to be face-to-face with potential customers.
“Many people were unaware of nutrient-rich and healthy products from the Pacific, and more so the Kingdom of Tonga. Things such as moringa powder and breadfruit flour. Sharing samples of café favourites like moringa lattes with gluten-free shortbread (made with breadfruit flour) was a great way to introduce the Nishi Foods brand to visitors at the show. It was also a wonderful opportunity to share the stories of farmers and communities that contribute to the quality of the product and its journey to New Zealand.”
Operating out of Auckland, Ashon Ventures is a competitive distribution company in New Zealand with a wide network of suppliers. This year they promoted SolTuna from the Solomon Islands, which was received very well by samplers. SolTuna is the freshest canned tuna on the market – you can read more about them in our Pacific Success story in this issue of Pacific Focus.
“Let food be thy medicine” is the mantra of Fine Foods Ltd. The Ni-Vanuatu company practice what it preaches by only using natural products. Based in Port Vila, it produces frozen kava and its signature “Supa’MAN Fries”, which are made from cassava and are a popular alternative to potato. For the trade show, the fries were air-fried and served with Fine Foods Ltd’s Volcanic Fire Chilli Sauce.
CEO Cornelia Wyllie said Fine Foods Ltd was pleased to find many great business leads.
“It is great to have these connections and we are ready to start exporting our product. Farmers from all over Vanuatu send us their products, from taro to cassava to pork. Everywhere in developed countries products are commercially grown using chemicals, artificial fertilisers and sprays, but our products are grown as naturally as you can possibly get. I love that the customers in the New Zealand market are keen to enjoy foods from the Pacific that have a high nutraceutical value (foods that are good for you).”
In addition to sponsoring three stalls for Nishi Foods, Fine Foods Ltd and Ashon Ventures, PTI NZ also ran their own stall showcasing a variety of products ranging from artisanal sea salt to hot sauce, sea grapes and herbal tea.
Aude remarked that this year’s Fine Food NZ reinforced the New Zealand market’s renewed interest in products from the Blue Pacific.
“At PTI NZ we are acutely aware that the Pacific has much to offer New Zealand consumers. Kiwis on the whole are very aware of where their food comes from. They want to see more transparent supply chains more products as natural as possible.
“Aotearoa, and in particular Auckland, has the highest Pacific Island population in the world; there’s already a strong market here and we want to be there to help Kiwis discover new foods from their beloved region. This was highlighted at our stall, where we were able to provide several business leads to the companies we displayed,” she said.
For more information on any of the aforementioned products, please contact PTI NZ Trade Development Manager, Aude Douyère at aude.d@pacifictradeinvest.co.nz.
