Weekly Global Report, Supply Chains:
Feedback
We welcome feedback from New Zealand exporters on this report as we continue to refine its content. We also invite requests for reporting from New Zealand’s network of Embassies and High Commissions. Please direct any suggestions or feedback to exports@mfat.net.
Domestic Update
Global maritime supply chains have become congested causing delays and adding cost to imports and exports. This has been caused by numerous factors including a surge in global sea freight demand as economic activity recovers from COVID-19 restrictions and recent strike action in Australian and United States ports. The situation has been exacerbated in New Zealand due to reduced capacity at Ports of Auckland, skilled labour shortages, and constraints on rail capacity between Auckland and Tauranga. Reports from exporters confirm sea freight delays have impacted them since September, with added congestion surcharges and risk to the quality of primary product when it arrives offshore. MFAT, MPI and NZTE are part of a Ministry of Transport-led inter-agency taskforce that is actively engaging with ports, freight forwarders, shipping lines and exporters on this issue
Global & Multilateral update
According to WTO statistics(external link) released on 4 December, the third quarter of 2020 saw a partial recovery of world trade in manufactured goods. Electronics, textiles and automative products saw growth as production resumed and lockdown measures were eased in major economies. Despite improvements, merchanise trade is still well below 2019 levels and preliminary estimates suggest services trade remains severely depressed.
Regional updates
The Pacific
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is working with Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture on the suspension of the Tongan watermelon export pathway. The suspension was provisionally lifted on Wednesday 2 December (last week) by MPI to allow a number of trial shipments prior to Christmas. MPI will closely monitor these to ensure Tongan authorities are implementing the corrective actions without any non-compliance issues.
Asia
On 7 November, China implemented a new global pre-departure policy requiring all travellers to China undertake one PCR COVID-19 test (a nasal swab) and one IgM COVID-19 test (a blood sample) and provide these to Chinese Embassies for approval 48 hours prior to departure. At the time IgM testing was not readily available in New Zealand. The Chinese Embassy to New Zealand therefore introduced ‘interim measures’ allowing passengers to undertake 2 PCR tests 48 hours prior to departure. Following advice from the Ministry of Health that IgM tests can now be undertaken in New Zealand, the Chinese Embassy has now announced that the original requirements will take effect from 10 December, with travellers still also able to submit results from the ‘interim measures’ up until 18 December. China’s overall pre-departure requirements remain challenging, however, as New Zealand laboratories still cannot guarantee the turnaround of any COVID-19 test results within 48 hours.
Viet Nam’s Minister of Health late last week requested that food imported into Viet Nam be tested for SARS-CoV2. At this stage there is little detail available beyond the headline statements. Officials are seeking urgent meetings with Viet Nam’s Heath, Agriculture, Customs and Trade agencies to understand the potential for New Zealand imports to be impacted by any new testing regime. Food imports make up the majority of New Zealand’s exports to Viet Nam.
Europe
The UK’s transition period from the EU will end on 31 December 2020, when it will leave the EU customs and single market.
Following a physical meeting with UK Prime Minister Johnson in Brussels, European Commission President von der Leyen said in a 10 December statement(external link) that “negotiations [for a post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreement] are still ongoing. However, given that there is no guarantee that if and when an agreement is found, it can enter into force on time. Our responsibility is to be prepared for all eventualities, including not having a deal in place with the UK on 1 January 2021”. Prime Minister Johnson tweeted(external link) on 11 December that it is “time for the public and businesses to get ready” for no agreement by 1 January.
Information about how Brexit may affect New Zealanders, including exporters, can be found here.
In the face of the looming Brexit transition deadline next month, the UK and Singapore have now agreed to roll over the terms of the existing Singapore-EU Free Trade Agreement. The UK and Singapore also announced their intention to launch negotiations on a Digital Economy Agreement (DEA), with the UK acknowledging that these agreements marked another step towards the UK joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Americas
On 3 December, The US Department of Agriculture announced that the Seafood Trade Relief Program will be extended into next year, with the sign-up period for the program lasting through to 15 January. The program aids the US seafood industry and fisherman hit by retaliatory tariffs.
Ports at Los Angeles and Long Beach are experiencing significant congestion and delays at present. This is impacting on New Zealand exporters, particularly those focused on commodities and perishable products.
Middle East
Construction of the New Zealand Pavilion(external link) for Expo 2020 Dubai is now substantively complete. Construction will now be paused, with finishing elements completed shortly before Expo 2020 commences on 1 October 2021. A key aspect of New Zealand’s presence at Expo 2020 is the NZTE-led business leverage programme, which includes market discovery, trade delegations and trade show participation throughout the six months of the event. There are also significant opportunities to leverage our participation at Expo 2020 to contribute to our trade and economic recovery and advance foreign policy priorities, including through standalone initiatives using the pavilion’s hosting venues and engagement within the Expo hosts’ calendar of thematic weeks. For any queries pertaining to New Zealand’s participation at Expo Dubai 2020, please get in touch with the team via the website: https://www.nzatexpo.govt.nz/contact(external link)
Market reports released this week
The New Zealand High Commission in Singapore prepared a report on Singapore’s investment into alternative proteins.
Last week’s global economic and trade update can be found here.
External links
The following links may provide useful information to businesses:
- NZTE(external link) has a website focused on providing COVID-19 information for exporters. They’ve also launched myNZTE(external link), an interactive digital portal of insights and tools available to all New Zealand exporters.
- The Treasury releases a weekly economic update(external link) every Friday. Stats NZ has published a data portal(external link) with near real-time economic indicators.
- MBIE publishes a sector reports series(external link) which provides regularly updated reports on all industry sectors that make up the New Zealand economy. These include official economic data and the challenges and opportunities that face New Zealand’s industry sectors.
- Business.govt.nz(external link) provides tools and advice from across government to save small businesses’ time and help make the business a success.
- MFAT has created a tariff finder(external link) which is designed to help goods exporters and importers maximise benefits from New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreements and compare tariffs in 136 other markets.
To contact our Export Helpdesk
- Email: exports@mfat.net
- Phone: 0800 824 605
- Visit Tradebarriers.govt.nz(external link)
Disclaimer
This information released in this report aligns with the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982. The opinions and analysis expressed in this report are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views or official policy position of the New Zealand Government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Government take no responsibility for the accuracy of this report.