The New Zealand apple industry says its exports to Taiwan could double in future as the result of import tariffs being removed this week, reports Radio New Zealand.
Import duties on New Zealand apples, as well as a selection of other agri-products including cherries, were eliminated on 1 December when an Economic Cooperation Agreement took effect between New Zealand and Taiwan.
The import tariff for New Zealand apples fell from 20 per cent to zero, making them more competitive and saving the New Zealand industry some NZ$40m (US$32.8m), the report said.
Industry body Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Allan Pollard told Radio New Zealand that demand for NZ apples in Taiwan would definitely increase as a result of the tariff removal. A view echoed in Taiwan.
“When reviewing the market position of New Zealand fruits in Taiwan, apples will benefit most from the FTA because the import duty for apple was 20 per cent,” Steven Chu of Taiwanese fruit marketer Steven Chu & Associates told Fruitnet.
Eason Ji of Tawianese importer Coverings International said New Zealand cherries would also benefit from the deal, which removed their 7.5 per cent import tariff just in time for the run-up to Chinese New Year.
