\u201cAt its core, the agreement materially improves market access at a time when diversification and value uplift are critical to long-term returns,\u201d the company says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a meaningful structural shift that reduces friction at the border and immediately improves the competitiveness of New Zealand timber and fibre in one of the world\u2019s fastest-growing economies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Equally important are the non-tariff benefits, it says.<\/p>\n
\u201cStreamlined customs processes and clearer regulatory frameworks should reduce delays and improve delivery certainty, both critical factors for exporters working in tight-margin environments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe agreement also opens the door for deeper collaboration in forestry research, education and sustainable practices, supporting productivity gains over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
NZ Forest Managers chairman Jonathan Cameron says the key thing is that the agreement puts New Zealand back on a level playing field with Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand used to have the lion\u2019s share of pine \u2013 a $200m market.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia has claimed that, and with their FTA, has grown a $600m market.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FTA means New Zealand can now claim back lost gains.<\/p>\n
New Zealand Forest Managers (NZFM) resumed exports of pine logs to India in the first half of 2025 – the first time since the 2019\/20 period. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the beginning of a renewed focus on the Indian market,\u201d says chairman Jonathan Cameron. <\/p>\n
Jonathan Cameron, NZFM chairman.<\/p>\n
As part of its own diversification strategy, NZFM aims to expand its customer base beyond its current markets in South Korea, Japan, and China. <\/p>\n
\u201cIndia represents a significant opportunity for growth, leveraging New Zealand\u2019s reputation for high-quality timber,\u201d Cameron says. <\/p>\n
Working with industry and partners, the company plans to introduce New Zealand pine logs to a variety of high-value applications in India, including interior products, structural timber, and building supplies \u2014 much beyond their traditional use in industrial packaging and construction products. <\/p>\n
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted NZFM\u2019s efforts as a reflection of New Zealand\u2019s broader export strategy: \u201cIt\u2019s companies like NZFM that are driving growth in export value by promoting innovative, higher-value use cases for New Zealand\u2019s high-quality logs. This aligns with our goal to double the value of exports and showcase the premium quality of what New Zealand offers.\u201d <\/p>\n
NZFM is highly supportive of the Letter of Intent on Forestry Co-operation signed during the Prime Minister\u2019s Trade Delegation to India and is keen to collaborate and co-operate on the areas outlined in the letter, Cameron says. <\/p>\n
\u201cParticular areas of interest are exchange of knowledge, processes and innovation as well as exploring the adaptation and application of cutting-edge technologies.\u201d <\/p>\n
NZFM is a 100% M\u0101ori-owned professional forestry management company based in T\u016brangi and Taup\u014d. Established in 1989, the company manages more than 100,000 hectares of client land, including 80,000ha of productive forests. <\/p>\n
NZFM provides forestry services including land management, forest development, protection, environmental stewardship, investment, harvesting, and global sales and marketing throughout the Asia-Pacific region. <\/p>\n
– additional reporting Fran O\u2019Sullivan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u201cAt its core, the agreement materially improves market access at a time when diversification and value uplift are…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":487490,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[6127,6326,3468,16118,3238,4975,71,658,2344,2454,19136,661,111,257932,43,139,69,3383,12975,584,10508,16566,102,4883,257303,2963],"class_list":["post-520114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-already","tag-biggest","tag-deal","tag-export","tag-forestry","tag-free","tag-from","tag-goods","tag-india","tag-industry","tag-largest","tag-major","tag-new-zealand","tag-new-zealandindia","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-products","tag-sector","tag-trade","tag-winner","tag-winners","tag-with","tag-wood","tag-zealandindia","tag-zealands"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/520114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=520114"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/520114\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/487490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=520114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=520114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=520114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}