China currently dominates New Zealand’s import market. According to a report by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), China’s share in New Zealand’s total imports is more than $ 10 billion, while India’s exports in FY 2025 were only $ 711 million. This is the situation when India is the world’s largest exporter in many product categories.
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India still has low market share in New Zealand
The report said that India still remains an under-represented country in the New Zealand market. However, the recently completed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can play an important role in bridging this gap. The FTA is likely to boost Indian exports in sectors such as processed foods, pharmaceuticals, machinery, electronics, vehicles, aerospace and furniture.
According to GTRI, India is a major global exporter of many products which New Zealand imports in large quantities, but despite this India’s share is very low. New Zealand’s total imports in the financial year 2025 were about $ 50 billion, of which imports from India were only $ 711 million and imports from China were more than $ 10 billion.
Big difference in processed food
The report points out a particularly large gap in the processed food sector. For example, India’s global exports of bakery products are worth $602 million, but exports to New Zealand are only $65 million. Similarly, India exports food items worth $817 million to the world, while its supply to New Zealand is only $77 million. These figures show clear opportunities for Indian exporters under the FTA.
Big potential in pharma sector also
Pharmaceuticals is also a major opportunity area. New Zealand imports medicines worth about $962 million, but India’s share in this is only $75 million. GTRI says that this shortage is not due to capacity but due to low market penetration, which can be addressed through FTA.
Analyzing the trade data for the year 2024, the report said that there are many products where India’s global exports are more than $200 million and New Zealand’s imports are above $150 million, but still India’s market share is extremely limited.
The real benefit is yet to come
GTRI said that even though the India-New Zealand FTA has been completed, most of its benefits are yet to be realized. If implemented effectively, this agreement can reduce the existing trade gap between the two countries and transform the limited bilateral trade into a deep and diverse economic partnership.
