NZ Winegrowers welcomes UK Free Trade Agreement

New Zealand Winegrowers is welcoming the announcement that the UK FTA will enter into force on 31 May 2023.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced on Friday that New Zealand and the United Kingdom have agreed to bring forward the entry into force of their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to 31 May 2023, unlocking unprecedented access to the UK market by the end of the month,.

From that date, 99.5% of current trade will enter duty-free into the UK through a combination of tariff elimination and duty-free quotas.

Sarah Wilson, General Manager of Advocacy and General Counsel at New Zealand Winegrowers, says the UK Free Trade agreement is very positive for the New Zealand wine industry. “It will more closely align the winemaking standards across the two countries, and help reduce technical barriers to trade, by minimising burdens from certification and labelling requirements on New Zealand wine exports. It will also support future growth in the market, and encourage exporters to focus on the UK.

“The UK is New Zealand’s second largest export market for wine, with exports valued at over $470 million last year. UK consumers appreciate the distinctive flavours, commitment to quality, and know New Zealand wine is a unique product that they can trust.

“This agreement is especially significant at a time when we are facing increasing costs across the industry, and it will make a big difference for those who export to the UK market.

“We thank Ministers and officials for their support and conduct of ongoing negotiations over the past few years, during what have been challenging and uncertain times.”