< Previous10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT A country with a heavy reliance on trade, the exports of farmers, growers, foresters, fishers and primary processors are propelling New Zealand’s economic recovery forward. The country’s Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay recently revealed export earnings of $59.9 billion for the year ending 30 June 2025, $3 billion higher than projected in December, with this expansion expected to continue, with exports reaching $65.9 billion by 2029. McClay noted: “Strong global demand and healthy prices across key markets are positioning our high-quality, safe and sustainable food and fibre exports for record growth.” Dairy has proved to be a highlight for the country, with export revenue rising 16 per cent to hit a record $27 billion, while horticulture export revenue grew by 19 per cent (driven by kiwifruit and apple), reaching $8.5 billion. Meat and wool export revenue, meanwhile, increased 8 per cent to $12.3 billion, and seafood export revenue ticked up 2 per cent to $2.2 billion. It comes as New Zealand’s Government targets a doubling of the value of exports in 10 years, planning to invest and implement reforms, such as the Dairy Industry Restructuring (Export Licences Allocation) Amendment Bill, to support export growth, while conducting trade work to open doors for exporters. With the international picture volatile, this work will be essential for a remote nation reliant on trade, especially when major markets like the US threaten stability and shift global relationships — leaving New Zealand subject to a 10 per cent tariff on all goods, yet remaining competitive against other exporters in the US market facing greater barriers, and possibly opening new opportunities, such as in China. Steps forward are being taken, with New Zealand and Malaysia committing to boost Against the backdrop of a volatile international picture, New Zealand is setting its sights on opening doors for food exporters. 12 ÁFood & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/Zenstratus12 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/Dmitry Pichugin trade in halal meat products. Malaysia is facilitating the approval of several New Zealand halal meat premises to gain first- time access to this market, where New Zealand’s premium halal meat products saw exports of more than $60 million last year. The approvals will bolster returns for New Zealand farmers, processors and exporters, who can tap into a population of more than 35 million people, and the countries are also working together to streamline the export requirements for New Zealand halal meat. Similarly, a new halal cooperation arrangement has been signed with Indonesia to strengthen trade access and create opportunities for red meat and dairy exporters. An important growth market for dairy and meat products worth over $1.1 billion in exports last year, Indonesia’s population of 280 million and large middle-class is a focus market for the New Zealand Government. Meanwhile, a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with India is in the works, where there is vast potential, with India only New Zealand’s 12th largest trading partner, accounting for 1.5 per cent of exports. The fifth-largest economy in the world, with a population of 1.4 billion people, holds significant potential for New Zealand, with talks resuming after a decade-long pause. It follows the signing of a free trade deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with legislation passing into law in July, set to lower costs, increase access, and secure a stronger presence in the Middle East. Exporters will be able to tap into a $500 billion market that imports 90 per cent of its food, where tariffs will be immediately removed on 98.5 per cent of New Zealand’s exports, rising to 99 per cent in three years. New Zealand’s key exports to the UAE include dairy, meat, and horticultural products. The benefits of such trade agreements have been seen recently, with both the EU and UK. Two years on from the entry into force of the New Zealand United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement, exports have risen, with big swings in food; meat exports are up 46% to nearly $500 million, dairy exports are up 139% (worth $198 million), and fruit and nuts are up 52% (worth $54 million). Furthermore, the entry into force of the New Zealand–European Union Trade Agreement is paying off, with goods exports surging, with especially good news for sheep farmers and kiwifruit growers. Sheep meat was up 29 per cent and kiwifruit 69 per cent. The NZ-EU FTA removed 91 per cent of duties on New Zealand exports immediately, growing to 97 per cent after seven years. Wine, seafood, and a range of other products are also Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT D Davies Turner benefiting from significant tariff reductions. While forging closer relationships around the world, more is also being done to enhance the attractiveness of Kiwi products overseas. A new Grass-Fed certification scheme is set to help red meat and dairy producers take on competitors in premium international markets, where consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for high- quality grass-fed food. The new standard, a voluntary scheme, puts a clear, trusted stamp on safe, pasture-raised meat and dairy and sets a clear definition for grass-fed products. Producers who meet the standard can be assessed and display the trusted Grass-Fed certification on their products and market them to the world, gaining an advantage in the fight for premium shelf space. Moreover, a new initiative with Canada aims to grow Kiwi food exports, accelerating the commercialisation rate of New Zealand’s food innovations, providing businesses with access to emerging technologies, market intelligence and research and development support through the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN), to reach Canada’s 40 million consumers. It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with local counterpart, the NZ Food Innovation Network (NZFIN) and comes as entrepreneurs in New Zealand face significant barriers in taking food innovations from concept to export-ready products, with minimal successfully reaching global markets. With an expanding network of trade agreements and initiatives, New Zealand stands ready to bolster exports and provide businesses with more choice on where to sell their products.14 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net EIT INTERNATIONAL Q&A Is maintaining high food hygiene standards too expensive? It’s a common question — and an understandable one - but at EIT International, we ask: expensive compared to…? Yes, maintaining high standards requires financial investment in equipment, training, audits, and process control. However, what is often overlooked is the hidden — and far more devastating — costs of not investing in safety from the outset. According to the FSA, the UK sees 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness annually, costing the economy £9 billion each year. By comparison, the cost of getting it right by implementing robust hygiene monitoring and risk prevention, is a fraction of the potential damage. We position food safety not as a cost centre but a risk mitigation strategy that protects everything you've built. What are the real risks of cutting corners in food safety? The visible risk is financial — recalls, fines, and lost revenue, cost of tracing the source of contamination, cost of deep cleaning facilities, downtime, retraining personnel. Just look at the Food alerts | Food Standards Agency page and you’ll see listings of businesses having to recall products due to Listeria and Salmonella contamination. Each of these businesses now have the struggle of rebuilding their reputation, meanwhile customers are buying competitor products. So, the hidden costs run much deeper: damaged reputation, loss of consumer confidence, and potentially, harm to consumers. Social media can amplify any misstep. One viral hygiene violation can cause irreparable brand damage, and some businesses never recover. How can food safety become a strategic business asset rather than a compliance headache? At EIT International, we firmly believe that food safety is not just about passing inspections, it’s about building a resilient, high- performing business. When companies shift from reactive compliance to proactive hygiene strategies, they unlock benefits far beyond avoiding penalties. Rather than viewing hygiene as an overhead, forward-looking food producers embed safety into their core processes. Using tools like real-time contamination detection and hygiene verification systems, businesses gain continuous insight into hygiene performance, allowing them to act before small issues become costly crises. By moving from “we think it’s clean” to “we know it’s clean,” companies can turn hygiene into a selling point — not a stress point. This is the product rationale at EIT International: make food safety visible, measurable, and meaningful so it not only protects your brand, but it also strengthens it. Real-time monitoring improves efficiency and product consistency, reduces waste, and builds brand equity. Businesses that embed safety into their culture improve employee morale and consumer trust, outcomes that far exceed box-ticking compliance. What support is available for food businesses trying to improve safety practices? The FSA offers a wide range of free resources — from detailed guidance on allergens and hygiene to tools for risk Food safety: The price of doing it right vs the cost of getting it wrong In today’s competitive food and beverage market, margins are tight, expectations are high, and reputations can rise or fall overnight. EIT International have seen firsthand how proactive food hygiene management drives resilience, trust, and profitability — and how irreversible damage can be caused should these protocols not be followed. Here, they answer five critical questions decision makers must ask to ensure long-term business sustainability. Food & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net EIT INTERNATIONAL Q&A assessment and training. Their food hygiene rating scheme also encourages transparency and motivates businesses to maintain high standards. These tools help even small operators frame and implement systems that protect both the public and their business. Additionally, EIT International has developed a range of products to help businesses: • Audit and assess current hygiene performance • Identify areas for immediate improvement • Deploy non-intrusive technology for real- time monitoring These can increase efficiency whilst reducing down-time for preventative maintenance programmes. Our proprietary scanning and detection systems include: • Bactiscan™, BactiscanPRO™, BactiscanPLUS™ and Bactiscope™ biofilm & bacteria scanners • Gappscan™ heat exchanger integrity detection & quantification systems • Magnerscan MAG3™ surface integrity & crack detection scanners • Pasflo™ pasteurisation residence & flow validation systems What’s the long-term impact of a single food safety failure? Let’s be blunt: a single outbreak can be enough to end a business. Whether it’s Listeria in a ready meal or a viral video of poor hygiene in your facility, today’s consumers do not forgive easily. Regulatory bodies can issue fines and sanctions, but public opinion delivers harsher sentences: loss of trust, reputation, and revenue. The fallout includes the massive direct costs of recall, disposal, investigation, legal defence, add to that the indirect costs, consumer churn, loss of shelf space, damaged partnerships and finally employee consequences, low morale, talent loss, internal blame culture. EIT International’s mission is to prevent these crises before they ever reach your customers. We help clients move from thinking their facilities are clean to knowing they are — with data to back it up. Conclusion: Don’t ask ‘what will it cost?’ — ask ‘what is it worth?’ Food safety isn’t a checkbox. It’s not just a budget line item. It is the foundation of your entire brand promise. The best-run companies are those that put proactive hygiene and safety at the heart of their operations and maintenance protocols. Not because regulators demand it — but because their customers, staff, and brand equity deserve AND depend on it. So next time someone asks if food safety is too expensive, remember: "If you think good standards are expensive, consider the alternative." Contact EIT International Ready to make your hygiene strategy a competitive advantage? Talk to our team about hygiene monitoring systems, risk prevention, and how to turn safety into growth. www.eit-international.com 16 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PROCESSING SPOTLIGHT potential Untapped UntappedFood & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net PROCESSING SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/ShantiMedia A s the food processing sector looks to tackle increasing costs, supply chain disruption, labour shortages and sustainability, automation, digital technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) stand as the path to a more productive future. Yet while many manufacturers are already utilising advanced technology in production processes — with robotics, precision packaging machines and automated sorters Many manufacturers are using advanced technologies in production processes, but there remains a wealth of opportunity to reap the benefits of automation, digital and AI innovations. now commonplace on production lines — there remains vast scope to accelerate adoption and achieve more efficient operations, with faster throughput, reduced error, and lower operational costs. Indeed a report, ‘Future Factory: Supercharging digital innovation in food and drink manufacturing’, from the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) and Newton has concluded that there is an 18 Á18 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PROCESSING SPOTLIGHT NEW AIR HEATER SERIES LHS 210 / 410 COMPACT & POWERFUL untapped growth opportunity of up to £14bn within the food and drink manufacturing industry in the UK alone, through the incorporation of automation, digital and AI tech. Investing in automation, robotics, AI, digitisation, and data analytics presents a crucial opportunity for the sector, with a quarter of respondents to BDO’s UK Food & Drink Report 2025 viewing investment in digital transformation, automation, and new technologies as the best route to growth in the coming year. Meanwhile, just 10% saw digital transformation as a risk or challenge, which is understandable with technology able to address key problems in productivity and personnel shortages, with the likes of heightened automation able to minimise reliance on human labour, allowing a constant flow of production with machines not requiring breaks, whilst also overcoming issues of human error and enabling employees to be redeployed to focus on higher-value work. Collaborative robots (cobots) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are two growing pieces of tech in the food sector, making machines now capable of taking on tasks from raw material handling to packaging. Providing an optimistic picture for technology adoption, the Food & Drink Report 2025 further indicated that 50% of food businesses consider themselves early adopters of digital technologies, keeping their eyes on new concepts, with an additional 34% considering their companies as innovators, implementing the newest technologies on the market. Gaining particular traction is AI, transforming how businesses work, communicate, and interact with technology, with the BDO research indicating that 56% plan to incorporate AI systems — though only 3% said they are proficient in AI. AI can help support greater efficiency, mitigate costs, © stock.adobe.com/ElnurFood & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net PROCESSING SPOTLIGHT Tel: +44 (0)1707 331111 info@welwyntoolgroup.co.uk www.welwyntoolgroup.com EASY CONNECTION HOT AIR RECYCLING ECONOMICALCOMPATIBLE NOZZLES HIGH AIR VOLUME OVERHEATING PROTECTION and bolster product quality, especially when used in conjunction with the Internet of Things (IoT). AI and machine learning algorithms, for instance, are able to unlock more accurate demand forecasting by analysing historical and current internal and external data, optimise inventory, analyse data from production lines, sensors and records to optimise production parameters, and rapidly and accurately identify quality issues in enhanced visual inspection systems. AI is moreover facilitating predictive maintenance to keep production lines running, by tapping into sensors in machinery and equipment to pinpoint potential faults before they cause disruptions and downtime. Further wielding data analytics, food processors can make more informed decisions, whether improving product quality or reducing waste. Also enhancing decision making are digital twins. Presenting a virtual replica of a production environment, digital twins are allowing companies to trial and improve production processes before they implement changes in real life, de-risking decisions, enabling greater productivity and a more efficient use of resources. Businesses can make sure investments and operational changes are made where they will have most impact and digital twins can even be scaled past the production line to entire factory buildings and energy networks to boost environmental performance and deliver cost reductions. Despite the raft of benefits from introducing such technologies, many factors are preventing and scaling back investment, positioning them as only accessible to the largest food and drink manufacturers who have the resources spare to explore what is available. Economic pressures and costs are certainly key issues, with capital stretched 20 ÁNext >