According to some public records, New Zealand is the largest dairy product exporting country in the world. The total dairy export volume of New Zealand accounts for 1/3 of the global dairy trade. Data from Chinese customs shows that from January to November, 2020, China imported 306,700 tons of baby formula milk powder from other countries, with 63,800 tons of milk powder from New Zealand, which accounts for 20.8% of the total dairy import volume in China, becoming China’s second biggest customer after Europe. Dairy products from New Zealand also rank first in the imported dairy market in China.
China’s new partnership with New Zealand puts pressure on Australia
A dairy analyst in China pointed out that the FTA upgrade makes it convenient for China to import dairy products from New Zealand, brings more benefits to the customers, and also helps develop Chinese dairy enterprises in New Zealand. In addition, China and New Zealand’s signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will improve the relationship between China and Australia.
Since 2020, Australia has prevented the export of agricultural products such as lobsters, wine, wood, and beef to China. Nowadays, the FTA upgrade brings more advantages to New Zealand, which will give a hard blow to Australia’s agricultural and dairy market. According to a news report from Australia Broadcasting Corporation, on January 24, Minister for Trade, Dan Tehan, said that he has sent positive news to China in the hope that he could break the ice on trades between China and Australia and create more opportunities for trade.