NZ: Trade negotiations with Russia

Trade Minister announced that New Zealand and Russia, along with its Customs Union partners of Belarus and Kazakhstan, would begin to lay groundwork for formal FTA negotiations.

Russia is the 12th largest economy in the world and is growing fast. Our current trade with Russia is relatively modest, and so there is a strong potential for growth.

Zespri's Director of Corporate and Grower Services, Carol Ward, said Russia was an emerging market for Zespri, where we see a lot of potential for future growth.

"We are already seeing increased sales and profit as a result of free trade agreements with China and Southeast Asia. As Russia's economy strengthens we look forward to increasing the demand for ZESPRI Kiwifruit within this dynamic market".

Russia is the world's fifth-largest food import market and is among the world's largest importers of meat and dairy products.