Browse Data and Analysis

New Zealand is an important market in the Pacific for U.S. agricultural products. In 2020, despite logistical and other challenges as a result of COVID-19, New Zealand’s imports continued strong and included US$ 575 million of U.S. agricultural products.

Cotton continues to be the only genetically engineered (GE) crop approved for cultivation and use. Regulatory uncertainty prevents life science companies from seeking approval for any other GE crops, and the National Biosafety Committee is still developing regulations on imports of GE commodities intended for food, feed, and processing.

There have been no recent significant official changes to the genetically engineered (GE) policies established by the New Zealand government.

Due to excellent conditions during harvest, which followed a good growing season, seed cotton collection has progressed well, and deliveries to ginners are far out-pacing last year.

The same problems that beset apple production in 2020/2021, especially harvest labor shortages, could persist into 2021/2022.