Positive outlook for New Zealand onions on the Chinese market

A New Zealand delegation recently visited Shanghai, China, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with an association of Chinese importers and exporters. This agreement will help advance bilateral onion trade between the 2 countries.

 

This is a significant step forward, according to James Kuperus, Managing Director of Onions New Zealand. The whole process (protocols, biosecurity, etc.) will take time, but James Kuperus estimates that within 5 to 10 years onion exports to China could represent around NZD 50 to 60 million (USD 30.3 to 36.3 million).

 

In the 2022/23 season, New Zealand exported 151,000 tons of onions at an estimated value of NZD 182 million (USD 110.3 million). Peak exports are usually from February to May, but New Zealand exports onions 12 months a year.