Opportunities
The following sectors present significant opportunity for New Zealand exporters. However, in a sophisticated market like the United Kingdom, there are likely to be niche opportunities for a much wider range of products if they are clearly differentiated and competitive.
- Agritech: New Zealand agritech companies have a strong history and reputation of selling high quality, innovative, farming products and services into the United Kingdom.
- Biotechnology: There is demand from pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food manufacturers for specialised ingredients of animal, plant, and marine origin, due to New Zealand’s environmental track record, disease free status and biodiversity.
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT): The United Kingdom has proven to be a very successful market for New Zealand knowledge-based exports in the fields of insurance and financial services, the public sector, public safety, defence and security, utilities, oil and gas, and telecommunications.
- Environmental Technologies: New Zealand technology and engineering companies with innovative and commercially viable technologies are encouraged to investigate this market sector.
- Marine Products: New Zealand brands are well respected in the United Kingdom, with most companies generally very positive about doing business with New Zealand.
- Consumer Products: Despite being a highly saturated and very competitive market, there are potential opportunities within the homeware and giftware market for high quality products that are differentiated by design, materials or other unique New Zealand / Pacific features.
- Apparel: Fashion and brands with greater distinction are gaining prominence and the demand for better service and quality is increasing.
- Natural and Organic Products: There is growing demand for organics, natural supplements, medicines, and beauty products, due to the increasing emphasis on preventative health care, environmental awareness and growing consumer concerns about chemicals in such products.
- Food and Beverage products: The United Kingdom remains the most significant market for New Zealand lamb, butter, apples, and wine.
Challenges
The economy entered recession in 2008, with investment and private consumption falling, unemployment increasing and government debt levels rising to among the highest in the European Union.
The Government is currently implementing a tough austerity programme of benefit cuts, public sector reform and tax increases.
