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Countries and regions
New Zealand
While the EU remains an important trading partner for New Zealand, New Zealand's trade focus is increasingly on the countries of the Asia-Pacific rim.
New Zealand is a significant agricultural exporter and a member of APEC - the economic forum for the Asia-Pacific region aimed at promoting trade and investment in the region
Trade picture
- New Zealand ranked as the 52th largest trade in goods partner of the EU in 2011 while the EU represented New Zealand's third largest trading partner after Australia and China (2010 figures).
- Total trade in goods amounted to €6.7bn. Traditionally, New Zealand's exports to the EU are largely dominated by agricultural products (73.4% of EU imports in 2011) while EU's exports to New Zealand have much more focused on manufactured goods (85.9%).
- New Zealand depends on international trade. New Zealand is a significant agricultural exporter and a member of APEC. While the EU remains an important trading partner for New Zealand, New Zealand's trade focus is increasingly on the countries of the Asia-Pacific rim.
- Total trade in commercial services between EU and New Zealand in 2011 amounted to €3.1bn and represented more than 32% of the total trade.
EU-New Zealand "trade in goods" statistics
| Year | EU imports | EU exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2.8 | 2.7 | -0.1 |
| 2010 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 0.3 |
| 2012 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 0.5 |
EU-New Zealand "trade in services" statistics
| Year | EU imports | EU exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 |
| 2010 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.7 |
| 2011 | 0.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
Foreign direct investment
| Year | Inward stocks | Outward stocks | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1.5 | 7.7 | 6.2 |
EU and New Zealand
A Framework Agreement
- Since July 2012, New Zealand and the EU have been negotiating a formal Framework Agreement which contains a number of economic and trade cooperation provisions.
Since 1999 the EU and New Zealand have been parties to a bilateral agreement that aims to facilitate trade in industrial products between the EU and New Zealand by reducing technical barriers, including assessment procedures.
It covers around one third of all EU merchandise products exported to New Zealand including medicine products and devices, telecommunication equipment, low voltage equipment, machinery and pressure equipment.
In 2003 a similar agreement entered into force aimed at facilitating trade in live animals and animal products while safeguarding public and animal health.
Trading with New Zealand
- Rules and requirements for trading with New Zealand
- Importing into the EU from New Zealand
- EU trade defence measures on imports from New Zealand
- Exporting from the EU to New Zealand
- Importing into the EU from New Zealand
- The EU is present on the ground in New Zealand
- Trade relations are part of the EU's overall political and economic relations with New Zealand
- New Zealand is a member of the World Trade Organisation