China's economy grew by 6.9 percent in 2015 - its slowest rate of growth in 25 years, which has prompted most to fear that the world's second largest economy is rapidly deteriorating; yet New Zealand export companies are unfazed, as they believe that the market for what their selling remains unchanged.
China's demand for kiwi fruit, unlike their economy, is not slowing. Zespri chief operating officer Simon Limmer said China remained its fastest growing market.
He said Zespri put 50 percent more fruit into China last season, and it was aiming to do the same again.
"We're watching the potential downturn in the economy quite closely, but I think it's really hard to generalise when you're talking about such a massive and complex economy as China," Mr Limmer said.
"And, really, we're looking in the area that we compete in, still really strong demand for good, high-quality, healthy food products and products that can be trusted."
Keith Woodford is an honorary professor of agrifood systems at Lincoln University. He said it was important people distinguished between the Chinese economy and consumer spending there.
"The numbers that I'm seeing are that [Chinese] consumer spending has still gone up by a little more than 11 percent last year," Dr Woodford said.
"So, as long as you're in the right products that Chinese consumers want, you're OK."
Source: radionz.co.nz
