New Zealand exporters benefit from Singapore’s food security strategy
By collaborating to understand Singapore’s future needs now, we can gain valuable insights that can be converted into new partnership opportunities for New Zealand exporters.
More than 20 government officials and business leaders from Singapore travelled around New Zealand this week to better understand how New Zealand’s strengths and capabilities in food science research, innovation and production can contribute to Singapore’s food security journey.
The visit successfully strengthened partnerships and drove collaboration across a number of key areas, including food technology, research and development, sustainability, source diversification and production capacity.
“Singapore has an ambitious food security strategy that is creating opportunities for New Zealand companies to add value thanks to our innovative, efficient and climate-resilient agrifood practices,” said NZTE Chief Executive, Peter Chrisp.
“By collaborating to understand Singapore’s future needs now, we can gain valuable insights that can be converted into new opportunities in the coming months and years. What we have found is that developing local products to meet market demands, fostering strategic partnerships and understanding the target audience to drive localisation are essential to strengthening New Zealand’s already significant trade relationship with Singapore. This in turn will help deliver on the Government’s aspiration to double the value of our exports over the next decade.”
The week-long visit included stops in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch and visits to leading New Zealand agrifood companies and institutes, including Plant and Food Research, Massey University, Lincoln Agritech, NIWA, AgResearch and The Food Bowl. Also involved in activities were ANZCO, Greenlea Premium Meats, Mercer Mushrooms and Griffin’s.
The visit opened new avenues for sustainable trade along with opportunities to further unlock Māori assets for export in with partnership with iwi and Māori exporters, like Fiordland Lobster and Akaroa Salmon who took part in the visit. Māori-owned agribusinesses - significant producers within New Zealand’s primary sector - are expected to play an important role in supporting Singapore’s future food security.
“It was great to have so many of our leading agrifood businesses and research institutes involved in the visit to demonstrate first-hand that we have the knowledge, the capability and the credentials to contribute to Singapore’s food security strategy. Our reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality, safe and nutritious food continues to make us an attractive choice.” Mr Chrisp added.
