SA producers aim for bigger bite of New Zealand
Business
A delegation of South Australian food and wine producers has visited New Zealand in a bid for a slice of the Kiwi market.
Last week’s three-day trade mission backed by the state government saw 16 South Australian producers pitch to New Zealand importers, distributors and buyers for grocery and wine retailers.
Producers including The Yoghurt Shop, Casarosa Almonds, 919 Wines, Seppeltsfield Wines participated with a goal to secure initial or additional sales in the NZ market.
The trip included a Tasting South Australia lunch, which attracted 60 food, wine and beverage representatives. Attendees were treated to food from Indigenous Australian chef Mark Olive and New Zealand’s Monique Fiso at the event.
The state government says that in the year ending August 2023, SA exports to NZ totalled $470.8 million, up 28 per cent. Wine was the second largest export product following wheat, while NZ is SA’s sixth largest export market for our top drops.
“As one of our closest neighbours, New Zealand represents an excellent opportunity for South Australian producers to tap into and expand their own businesses globally,” Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion said.
“We know those across the ditch are in a growing market with plenty of potential, so this mission serves as a way for our world-class food and beverages to enter a market on the rise and showcase the very best South Australia has to offer.
“This mission will be a celebration of native South Australian products and puts local producers at the fore of New Zealand buyers’ minds.”
Speaking to InDaily, The Yoghurt Shop chief operating officer Brandon Reynolds, son of company founder Simon Reynolds, said the NZ market was a natural extension for the business.
“Our export strategy has been a big part of our story,” said Reynolds.
“We’ve had some big wins domestically over the last couple of years and diversifying what is premium Australian food from just our shores has been important so that we can make sure our customer base is varied.
“It’s seen us not just in New Zealand, but this year in Malaysia, China, Singapore and early next year the Middle East.”
Reynolds said NZ was a “natural fit” for The Yoghurt Shop.
“We’re very close neighbours and Auckland and Adelaide are not too dissimilar in many ways so the opportunity to come here was exciting,” he said.
“DTI organised a great program – we spent the last two days with the market familiarisation tour which was great. We got to meet lots of the important retailers and some of the owner-operators here in Auckland which was good.
“From a strategic point of view, having our products in what is a really natural neighbour is important to us.”
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Wine Ambassadors Club patron Tony Love, who hosted the cross-cultural lunch, said NZ and Australia were “connected through our shared histories, and a competitive yet respectful love of sport and cultural affairs”.
“This trade mission will advance our shared knowledge of what South Australia can bring to the table – we can learn from the front line of New Zealand’s markets as much as our hosts can learn about what we have to offer,” Love said.
“South Australia’s wine community leads the nation in terms of new varieties and styles, as well as the classical offerings of robust and vibrant Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and contemporary Chardonnay.
“On both sides of the Tasman, we will all benefit from this important moment in expanding our food and wine category opportunities.”
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