Signed arrangements include a commitment to move towards electronic certification and export plans for New Zealand onions and Indonesian pineapples
New Zealand and Indonesia have signed new export deals for onions and pineapples and agreed to a broader cooperation arrangement set to boost two-way trade.
Trade and agriculture minister Todd McClay and Sahat Manaor Panggabean, chairman of the Indonesia Quarantine Authority (IQA), signed an updated cooperation arrangement between the two countries in Auckland on 9 July.
“The cooperation arrangement paves the way for New Zealand and Indonesia to boost our NZ$3bn two-way trade and further cooperation on food safety, animal health, and plant health, to build capability and technical expertise,” McClay said.
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and the IQA also signed a new arrangement for electronic export certification and two export plans for New Zealand onions and Indonesian pineapples to further grow two-way trade.
Mclay said both countries will work to replace paper-based export certificates with electronic certificates to help streamline border processes and help get products into market sooner.
“The new export plan for onions will enable Kiwi growers to continue exporting over NZ$40m worth of high-quality onions to Indonesia without fumigation which can affect quality,” McClay said.
“This is a significant step forward that will save our growers time and money, and it demonstrates Indonesia’s confidence in New Zealand’s strong biosecurity processes.”
Similarly, the export plan enabling Indonesian pineapples, access into New Zealand for the first time will provide domestic consumers more choice.
The export plan for pineapples takes effect immediately, with the plan for onions expected to come into effect later this year.
“The government has set the aspirational target of doubling trade by value in ten years, and increasing two-way trade with Indonesia will play a role in meeting this goal,” McClay said.
“The documents signed today demonstrate the government’s commitment to strengthening trade relationships, doubling the value of our exports to support New Zealand’s economic growth, and boosting grower returns.”
