New import protocols agreed with Thailand have cemented future access for 9 New Zealand horticultural exports the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said today.
The 9 commodities are apples, apricots, avocados, capsicums, cherries, kiwifruit, persimmons, strawberries and tomatoes.
"The agreement of the new import protocols is a positive step forward in improving consistency and certainty of these exports to Thailand," says Tim Knox, Director Market Access at MPI.
"Thailand is an important market for New Zealand producers. In 2014 alone the combined value of these 9 horticultural exports to Thailand was around NZD$50 million."
The import protocols mark the culmination of more than 2 years of work between MPI and the Thailand Department of Agriculture.
"Implementing the import protocols provides the platform to further grow this market for New Zealand," says Mr Knox.
MPI has been working with the New Zealand horticulture industry to transition to the import protocols, which come into effect tomorrow (26 November).
