7. NEW ZEALAND

7.1 Overview of the economy

Since 1984, the government has accomplished a major economic re-structuring, moving an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access toward a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP has been moving up toward the levels of the larger western European economies. New Zealand's heavy dependence on trade leaves its growth prospects vulnerable to economic performance in Asia, Europe and the USA. Moderate growth was expected to characterize 2000.

7.2 Trade policies

New Zealand is a strong supporter of the rules-based multilateral trading system, and maintains an open trade and investment regime.

New Zealand maintains a strict regime of sanitary and phytosanitary control for virtually all imports of agricultural, including fishery, products.

The tariff level is mostly zero (0%), with some exceptions for crustaceans, with tariffs of up to 5%. These are also the WTO-bound tariffs.

7.3 Fisheries data

Commodity balance (1996)

7.4 Production

New Zealand production has developed positively through the whole period, apart from a small backlash in 1996. From a production of 372 451 t in 1990, production almost double by 1999, when production reached 685 734 t. The main species produced in 1999 were whitefish (cod, hake, and haddock) at 312 199 t (45%), followed by redfish, bass and conger (127 347 t; 19%), mussels (73 977 t; 11%), with 172 974 t (25%) from various other products. The increase in produced quantity was largest for the whitefish group, which increased by 200 000 t (188%) from 1990 to 1998, while mussel production increased by 49 977 t, or 208%, in the same period. The production of redfish, etc., increased by only 9 000 t (7%). Other major changes occurred in oyster production, going from 5 938 t to 16 006 t (170% increase) in the period. The product group decreasing the most was miscellaneous marine fishes, reduced by about 3 000 t.

Figure 27. Total seafood production by New Zealand, 1990-1999 (quantity; tonnes)

7.5 Export

In 1998, New Zealand was the 23rd-largest exporter, ranked by value in the FAO Fishstat database, with exports of 322 000 t, worth US$ 663 million. There was a steady increase through the whole period, with the exception of a drop in value in 1998. The most important trading partners were Japan, USA and Australia. An extract from the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council says:

“New Zealand seafood exports recovered significantly in 1998 from the effects of the Asian financial crisis. The prolonged price weakness in international markets for frozen finfish species turned around, while concurrently the New Zealand dollar weakened. The Asian crisis, which began in mid-1997, affected seafood exports to the region, particularly to Japan. In the second half of 1998, demand from north Asian markets, with the exception of Japan, showed marked signs of recovery. As an example, sales to Korea recovered to historic norms.”

Figure 28. Total seafood exports from New Zealand, 1990-1998

Table 10. Value of New Zealand fishery exports to major markets, 1996-1998

SOURCE: New Zealand Seafood Industry Council

Of particular note has been a dramatic increase in exports to markets in the European Union. Exports in 1998 were up 50% in value on 1997.

Table 11. New Zealand’s seafood exports, 1996-1998, by major commodity group

SOURCE: New Zealand Seafood Industry Council

7.6 Imports

New Zealand imports had a different development. Until 1994, the level of imports was steady at about 15 000 to 17 000 t, while 1995 saw an increase to close to 24 000 t, peaking at 27 500 t in 1996. In 1997, there was a steep plunge, to 11 000 t. In 1998, imports were back to 21 000 t. The most important product was fish meal for aquaculture or animal feed, followed by shrimp and prawn, tuna, and prepared salmon. The biggest increase was in meals and oils.

Figure 29. Total seafood imports by New Zealand, 1990-1998

The most important suppliers of fish products to New Zealand were Thailand, followed by Australia, Chile and Canada.

Figure 30. New Zealand seafood exports by country, average 1995-1997

Figure 31. New Zealand imports of seafood by source country, average 1995-1997

7.7 Trade by commodity group

7.7.1 Exports

New Zealand mostly exports fresh and frozen fish, together with fresh and frozen crustaceans and molluscs. Most of both quantity and value derives from these two groups. The main products are frozen products, like demersal frozen fillets and whole frozen molluscs, and marine frozen fillets. Following these products are frozen cephalopods, fresh crustaceans and frozen pelagics.

7.7.2 Imports

The main import commodity group is salted, dried or smoked fish, together with meal and fish oil. When it comes to quantity, the meal and fish oil are by far the biggest commodity, while salted, dried and smoked is the more valuable group.

Figure 32. Overview of New Zealand seafood exports, by commodity, 1990-1998

New Zealand export commodity groups 1990 - 1998 - a

New Zealand export commodity groups 1990 - 1998 - b

Figure 33. Overview of New Zealand seafood imports, by commodity, 1990-1998

New Zealand import commodity groups 1990 - 1998 - a

New Zealand import commodity groups 1990 - 1998 - b