A wide range of high quality and affordable products are often what attract foreign retailers to buy from China. From setting up a representative office in Shanghai to establishing a wholly owned foreign company, New Zealand's largest retailer has been in the Chinese market for 20 years.
From “Made in China” to “Created in China”, China continues a shift from being the “world's factory” to becoming an innovation leader. More people in New Zealand have noticed and are buying quality goods from China.
In recent years, more people in New Zealand have been buying technologically advanced goods made in China – a massive change from the past.
Starting July 1, holders of ordinary passports from New Zealand can stay in China for 15 days without a visa for business, tourism, or to visit friends and relatives. The policy is valid until the end of 2025. This makes New Zealand businesses more confident about setting up and expanding in China.
While at the China Business Summit 2024 in Auckland in May, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that trade and economic relationships with China remain central to the country's prosperity.
One example is in the food industry. How often do you order takeout food? A recent report found office workers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou often order oily dishes high in carbohydrates.
The report also found that 45% of those surveyed in these three cities order milk tea more than three times a week, but less than 11% order fruit every day. Xinhuanet, Meituan, and Zespri, a New Zealand company that sells kiwis, published the report. Zespri, however, said it has seen some encouraging signs.
Sales of imported fruits have increased in China in recent years with more than 70 fresh fruit varieties in the market. They include blood oranges from Italy, golden pineapples from Panama, and avocados from Kenya – all of which were approved for the mainland market at the first China International Import Expo in 2018.
Shanghai Customs said that between January and April this year, the value of imported fruits and nuts entering Shanghai Port reached 11.05 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 20.4 percent.
Bilateral trade reached 23.24 billion US dollars between China and New Zealand in 2023, up more than fourfold since a free trade agreement between the countries came into force in 2008.
