New Zealand and Indonesia have taken significant steps to enhance their two-way trade in produce, signing new agreements to facilitate the export of New Zealand onions and Indonesian pineapples.
On 9 July, Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Sahat Manaor Panggabean, chairman of the Indonesia Quarantine Authority (IQA), formalized these agreements in Auckland. The updated cooperation arrangement is set to elevate the NZ$3 billion trade relationship between the two countries by focusing on food safety, animal health, and plant health, thereby building capability and technical expertise.
A vital feature of the new arrangement is the move towards electronic export certification, replacing traditional paper-based methods. This transition aims to streamline border processes, ensuring quicker market entry for produce.
“The new export plan for onions will enable Kiwi growers to continue exporting over NZ$40 million worth of high-quality onions to Indonesia without fumigation, which can affect quality,” McClay stated. “This is a significant step forward that will save our growers time and money, demonstrating Indonesia’s confidence in New Zealand’s strong biosecurity processes.”
In addition, Indonesian pineapples will now have access to the New Zealand market for the first time, offering consumers more variety. The pineapple export plan is effective immediately, while the onion plan is expected to be implemented later this year.
The New Zealand government aims to double trade by value within the next ten years, and increasing trade with Indonesia is a crucial part of this strategy. The agreements signed underscore the commitment to strengthening trade relationships, boosting the value of exports, supporting economic growth, and improving grower returns.
These developments mark a promising expansion in agricultural trade between New Zealand and Indonesia, fostering mutual benefits and economic growth.
