NZ stuck on primary export path, says MBIE research

Farming is not a sunset industry. NZ has a competitive advantage in 214 areas, mostly linked to farming, forestry and food. (Image: Getty)

Jem Traylen

Mon, 08 Aug 2022

New Zealand faces an uphill battle if it wants to diversify exports away from primary industries, says research published by the Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE).The report, “NZ’s Export Advantage” said the number of product categories in which the economy was competitive had narrowed from a peak of 809 in 2006 to 531 in 2018, with the primary sector dominating those that remained.It said the economy had gone down a path of developing strong capabilities in primary exports, firstly to the UK and then to...

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