Commercial announcements on trade visit highlight Latin America growth

Three New Zealand exporters have announced commercial agreements with companies in Argentina last week as the Latin America market shows renewed momentum, with year-on-year export growth exceeding 10%.

The announcements were during Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon Winston Peters’ official visit to Latin America (2-8 March), during which he travelled to Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile accompanied by a nine-strong New Zealand business delegation. A further 19 New Zealand companies joined New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) events on the ground, taking part in activities aimed at accelerating exports and boosting New Zealand’s profile in the region, particularly in key growth areas such as tech, manufacturing, agribusiness, energy and resources and healthcare.

“Latin America is the world’s fourth-largest economy with a combined population of 660 million people; the sheer scale and breadth of opportunities are significant. Given this, there is clear scope for New Zealand exporters to grow sales and win more business across the region,” said Stephen Blair, NZTE Regional Director Latin America.

“Latin America produces much of what the world demands - food, energy, and critical minerals. New Zealand technology for the agriculture, energy, and mining sectors, which offer high value solutions to enhance productivity, efficiency, sustainability, and digital transformation have significant advantages in the region. With economies developing quickly in Latin America, health care solutions and consumer goods also have a bright future. This visit helps highlight the value we bring as an innovative, high-quality and trusted partner,” he said.

The following companies made announcements of their progress at an NZTE-hosted business event in Buenos Aires on Wednesday morning, New Zealand-time:

Latin America is an up-and-coming destination for New Zealand’s exporters, who are increasingly looking at opportunities to diversify. In the year to December 2025, New Zealand exported $1.65 billion in goods and services to the region, making it New Zealand’s 17th largest export market when combined. But interest is growing. Exports to the region have increased by 43% since 2021. In Argentina, the numbers are even higher - over 95% growth in that same period and a 600% increase in NZTE customer interactions since 2022, with deregulation and market reforms creating more favourable conditions for exporters. Argentina is Latin America’s third-largest economy and fourth-richest country with a growing appetite for technology in its key economic sectors.

The NZTE-run business programme during the Minister’s visit helped foster connections, grow partnerships and accelerate New Zealand’s export growth in Argentina, and the three other South American markets visited. In Brazil, NZTE hosted a business roundtable with the Brazilian Secretary for Foreign Trade (MDIC), meetings with key Brazilian agencies and a New Zealand Innovation Showcase, at which the Minister gave a keynote speech on New Zealand’s relationship with Latin America. NZTE’s work showcasing and supporting New Zealand businesses in market is an essential part of the government’s goal of doubling the value of exports over ten years.

The travelling business delegation included: