Zespri welcomes the announcement of the start of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between New Zealand and the four countries of the Pacific Alliance – Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

'While New Zealand kiwifruit does not attract tariffs in these four markets, Zespri welcomes any moves towards liberalising trade around the world,” says CEO Lain Jager.

'We are a small exporting nation and agreements like this are vital for our economic prosperity.”

Lain says Zespri is developing new markets for our premium fruit around the world and sales in Mexico are set to double over the next five years, from around $5 million in sales last season.

Trade Minister Todd McClay has announced the launch of free trade agreement negotiations with Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru on July 1.

He says better market access and lower tariffs will be of real value to New Zealand exporters.

'This is a big win in the fight for better access for New Zealanders to important overseas markets. We've worked hard for trade talks with the Pacific Alliance over the last two years and today's announcement will be welcome news for our exporters.

'A high-quality FTA will open the door for New Zealand companies to do more business with the Pacific Alliance countries and increase the $1.1 billion of two-way trade we currently have with them.”

Todd made the announcement from the Pacific Alliance Summit in Colombia following a meeting with the Presidents of Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru.

'The Pacific Alliance is a grouping of fast-growing, like-minded economies committed to the liberalisation of trade. Between them they have more than 221 million consumers and a combined GDP of US$3.85 trillion, which is equivalent to the world's sixth largest economy.

'Negotiating a high-quality FTA with the Pacific Alliance will also help the Government reach its ambitious Trade Agenda 2030 target of covering 90 per cent of our goods trade under FTAs by 2030.”