Téléchargez l'application

Authentic, well-preserved nature, superb, varied scenery, competitive agriculture and cutting edge technology have earned New Zealand a reputation for top quality products and a dynamic economy.

New Zealand is a large archipelago in the South Pacific (270 534 km²) and a state in Oceania, located to the south-east of Australia across the Tasman Sea. It is composed of many islands, of which the two largest are: - North island (115 000 km2) called 'Land of Marvels' because of the beauty of its volcanic mountains (Mount Ruapehu, 2 797 m) and its geysers; - South island, the largest with 151 000 km2 and the most mountainous (Mount Cook is the highest point of the New Zealand Alps 3 754 m), shaped by glaciers and with an infinite number of lakes (Tekapo, Manipori, Wakatiko, etc.). The Cook Strait separates the two islands. The capital, Wellington (195 000 inhabitants), is on the North island and the principal cities are Auckland (1.3 million inhabitants), Christchurch and Dunedin. The majority of New Zealand's population (4.4 million inhabitants) is of European origin (69%) but there are several minorities like the Maoris, Asians and other Polynesians. The official languages are English and Maori and the national currency is the New Zealand dollar ($NZ). The temperate and relatively humid climate is favourable to its vegetation and 75% of the biodiversity is endemic. Its forests are primarily composed of tree ferns and many conifers. The fauna is very attractive with sea-lions, seals, dolphins, sperm whales and penguins, among others. Populated by the Maoris (950 BC), New Zealand was discovered in 1642 by a Dutch sea captain called Tasman. An ex-British colony (1840), which became a dominion in 1907, it became independent in 1931 within the Commonwealth (Westminster Treaty ratified in 1947). New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy and Queen Elisabeth II is represented there by a Governor-General. Designated by the latter, Mr John Key has been the Prime Minister since 19 November 2008 after his National Party won the elections.

An export economy

Reputable animal husbandry

Good quality fruit production

This indoor temperature management system is designed to maintain the temperature at optimum level. It is called reversible because it can produce cold or heat with a better energy yield than heating systems. In food shops there may be interactions between refrigerated display units and the ambient air that cause a rise in the temperature of the products. This can alter the quality of foodstuffs and damage the units (repeated untimely defrosting). Air-conditioning puts a brake on this phenomenon. Shops and sales floors use three types of air-conditioning: the electric or gas powered heat pump (direct expansion appliances), traditional air-conditioning with roof-tops

Seafood products and aquaculture

The seafood industry is the 5th largest export sector in terms of value, contributing about $NZ 1.35 billion to GDP, and it represents over 22 000 jobs. Aquaculture (100 000 tons/year) has a rosy future and it has developed well as a complement to the fishing sector limited by quotas. Research is being done to improve the economic return on existing aquaculture species (green mussels, Pacific oysters, salmon and abalone) and to develop new species.

A recognized wine production

New Zealand does not have a long wine-growing tradition and the first vineyards only date back to 1820. However, the excellence of its wines has earned it international recognition. Most of the production (2.5 million hectolitres) is exported to over 80 countries and it only represents 0.3% of world production, but the sector is booming and contributes $NZ 1.28 billion to GDP. The ten wine producing regions cover a surface area of 32 143 hectares stretching from the north to the south. The climate (temperate oceanic in the north, colder and sunnier in the south), the diversity of the soils (clayey or silty, sandy or gravelly, sometimes volcanic) and ultra-modern technology add to the great variety of the vineyards. The principal grape varieties are white Sauvignon (62% of the production in 2009), Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Gastronomy and specialities

Like its culture, New Zealand's gastronomy has been heavily influenced by the different immigrant communities. For a long time the cooking was based on dishes like fish and chips, meat pie and pudding brought by the English, but it is now more varied and refined, with a subtle blend of sweet and savoury. You can find there the country's excellent lamb grilled with herbs, with mint, with Worcestershire sauce, or lamb with kiwi and camembert, or ribs with redcurrant jelly. Fish and shellfish are very present, especially green mussels from Marlborough, oysters from Bluff, Saint-Jacques scallops, the paua (abalone from Maori culture), and tua tua and tohéroa (popular but rare shellfish). Hangi is more than a traditional dish; it's an ancestral Maori cooking method with a Polynesian technique using hot stones in a mud oven

Pro reviews

Crédit photo : FD

Rodolphe Cherault
(Manager of +33 Import-Export - Rungis)

« Our company is specialized in importing and exporting meat products and it has an annual turnover of €10 million, three quarters of which is done in France and one quarter in the EU. The business is 70% mutton and lamb and 30% farmed and wild game (doe, deer, roe deer, boar, pheasant, hare, etc.), which we sell to our clients in the food industry (manufacturers of prepared dishes), provincial wholesalers, Rungis Market operators and a few large and medium-sized retailers. Two thirds of the 2 000 tons of lamb imported every year, as frozen and chilled meat, comes from New Zealand. Similarly, a large proportion of our farmed game (deer) imports also come from New Zealand. These are standard products with a constant quality, steadily delivered in identical grades. Because of its geographic location and good climate, New Zealand benefits from extensive, top quality grasslands and farmland, as well as modern abattoirs that allow it to produce tasty meat that is appreciated. For us, New Zealand represents good quality meat production and impeccable business and sanitary ethics."

Crédit photo : Nordic Seafood

Stephane Chertier
(CEO of Nordic Seafood)

"We are distributors of frozen seafood products, part of which come from New Zealand, on the French market (catering trade and large and medium-sized retailers) with a total turnover of €20 million. We import from New Zealand the green mussels, fillets and portions of hoki (blue grenadier), orange roughy, southern dory, John Dory, skate wing and other deep sea fish. We sell all seafood products from all over the world, although hoki is the bestseller, particularly in the form of blocks used to make fish sticks. In New Zealand hoki is certified (MSSC) and it is the subject of strictly regulated fishing quotas. Similarly, the skate wing from New Zealand is known for its superior quality. The fishing is run by the Maoris and rationalized and everything is done on the boats to meet freshness and quality criteria. New Zealand is a country that respects its environment and its fish resources."

Crédit photo : FD

Philippe Pons
(CEO of AZ France and Chairman of CSIF - Rungis)

"We are an importer specialized in off-season products from the southern hemisphere (apples, pears, grapes, kiwis, etc.), including South Africa, Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. We handle just over 160 000 tons, including 65 000 tons of bananas via our five sites (Rungis, Cavaillon, Tours, Rouen, Metz). New Zealand's flagship product is the kiwi, with a high degree of technical competence and production quality and marketing too via its unique brand Zespri. It applies to a green-fleshed kiwi called Zespri Green (Hayward variety) and a yellow-fleshed kiwi, Zespi Gold, which is more recent and sweeter and more aromatic than the previous one. New Zealand is the world's second largest producer of kiwis after Italy and the largest exporter. We distribute just over 3 000 tons of kiwis from New Zealand in France, out of a total 15 000 tons imported. The other flagship product is the apple, including the Royal Gala, which is the market leader, the Jazz apple, of which we sell 200 tons a year, as well as the Granny Smith and Pacific Rose varieties. In pears, there is the Doyenné du Comice, of which we import over 100 tons a year. New Zealand is a top-performing country in varietal research and it has very high quality fruit production."

Crédit photo : FD

Patrice Retif
(Managing Director of Ovimpex - Rungis)

"We are an importer specialized in off-season products from the southern hemisphere (apples, pears, grapes, kiwis, etc.), including South Africa, Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. We handle just over 160 000 tons, including 65 000 tons of bananas via our five sites (Rungis, Cavaillon, Tours, Rouen, Metz). New Zealand's flagship product is the kiwi, with a high degree of technical competence and production quality and marketing too via its unique brand Zespri. It applies to a green-fleshed kiwi called Zespri Green (Hayward variety) and a yellow-fleshed kiwi, Zespi Gold, which is more recent and sweeter and more aromatic than the previous one. New Zealand is the world's second largest producer of kiwis after Italy and the largest exporter. We distribute just over 3 000 tons of kiwis from New Zealand in France, out of a total 15 000 tons imported. The other flagship product is the apple, including the Royal Gala, which is the market leader, the Jazz apple, of which we sell 200 tons a year, as well as the Granny Smith and Pacific Rose varieties. In pears, there is the Doyenné du Comice, of which we import over 100 tons a year. New Zealand is a top-performing country in varietal research and it has very high quality fruit production."

Crédit photo : NZTE

Nicolas Pessus
&Enterprise)

"Our agency's role is to help New Zealand companies, from all sectors including food and industry, develop throughout the world. New Zealand agriculture is based on a liberal economic system and stopped benefiting from State subsidies in 1985, so it has to be competitive and necessarily geared to export (60% of production). The market is structured around the most dynamic producers and agriculture and the food industry have become major actors in the economy. The dairy industry is by far the most efficient (world's largest producer of powdered milk) with major investments in research and development. Similarly, well-controlled animal husbandry practices (animals grazing all year round, animal well-being and very strict health & safety standards) have helped to optimize one of the most reputable meat production sectors for lamb, mutton, beef and game. Fishing and aquaculture are also important sectors that are constantly development and subject to well-defined quality criteria (sustainable development, fishing quotas and preservation of fish resources). The fruit and vegetable sector is also very efficient and high quality with two widely exported flagship products, the kiwi and apple. Lastly, New Zealand wine is also flourishing in terms of volumes and quality, with two major grape varieties, Sauvignon by majority, and Pinot Noir. New Zealand is a modern, dynamic country that knows how to preserve its nature and its environment."