April 2, 2012

China tops buyers of New Zealand's seafood products

According to New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Friday (Mar 30), China has become New Zealand's largest buyer of seafood exports.

The ministry's latest fisheries and aquaculture production and trade figures showed the total value of exports in 2011 was up 2.9% on the previous year, at NZD1.53 billion (US$1.25 billion).

The Chinese mainland imported NZD299.6 million (US$245.44 million) worth of New Zealand seafood in 2011, becoming the leading importer ahead of Australia for the first time, said a statement from the ministry.

China's main imports were New Zealand live rock lobsters, hoki (fish) and squid.

The United States was the third-largest buyer of New Zealand seafood and Hong Kong the fourth.