Marlborough's MP says an agreement between the region and Chinese research centres will benefit New Zealand food producers looking to crack the lucrative market. Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith and officials from the Marlborough Research Centre are travelling to Tianjin, in China, on Saturday 29 Oct., to sign a memorandum of understanding with their Chinese counterparts.
Smith said the purpose of the agreement was to discuss regional collaboration around food and beverage processing, which would lead to development opportunities for the region.
"We intend to sign a memorandum of understanding between the MRC and Tianjin Local Government, and between New Zealand Premium Resources Limited and Tianjin Science and Technology Exchange Centre to formalise this partnership," he said.
Marlborough Research Centre chief executive Gerald Hope said the Tianjin trip was a direct result of the relationships fostered through the Premium Foods for China programme.
The programme involved the research centre hiring an associate, Dr James Li, to conduct market research for Marlborough companies in China, including Marlborough Garlic.
As a result of the programme, the garlic company had a Chinese market trial for its Marlborough Garlic Noir product, and had identified a preferred distributor.
Chief executive John Murphy said the Chinese market had huge potential for his company, as there was a large middle class prepared to pay more for premium food products.
"It's not just a matter of finding customers and outlets full stop, it's a matter of finding the right ones," he said.
"There's a smattering of product in Chinese stores now; it's low volume at this stage but we think over the next few years our sales over there will grow significantly."
The Chinese market would be very important to New Zealand and Marlborough food producers going forward, and the agreement would help open doors for them, Hope said.
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