On May 31st, 2023, the NZ-UK Free Trade Agreement will come into force. The Alliance Group, a 100% farmer-owned red meat co-operative in New Zealand with over 5,000 farmer shareholders, has spoken out in response. As a supplier to the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, the Alliance Group welcomes the FTA, viewing it as an opportunity for high-quality New Zealand and British red meat products to strengthen the foodservice sector’s offering.
Helen Scott, Regional General Manager of the Alliance Group, highlighted the significance of the FTA and its potential benefits: “The FTA is a significant step forward in opening the door for New Zealand farmers and provides an opportunity to grow, invest and diversify. Early figures show that UK imports from New Zealand are projected to grow by £1billion.”
In the UK, red meat is a popular consumer category, with spending on beef and veal worth £2.37billion. Scott emphasized the importance of delivering high-quality products that meet the exacting standards of the foodservice and hospitality sector: “Red meat is a growth market, and the foodservice and hospitality sector is looking for consistency in product quality, authentic and precise butchery cuts to ensure uniformity across multi-site operators, and world-class food safety measures on farm and production – all key areas that we prioritize.”
Scott also pointed out that the quality of their products perfectly complements and aligns with the UK, which is known for its high-quality and sustainable British foods. Furthermore, the FTA includes a chapter that recognizes the high priority the Alliance Group affords animal welfare in their farming practices and acknowledges the comparability of both countries’ high standards in this area.
The Alliance Group specializes in producing prime pasture-fed beef, using natural, low-intervention farming techniques in a low-stress environment, resulting in meat that is full of flavor, lean, tender, and nutritious. Joe Nelson, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to the UK & Ireland, stated that their country’s climate, fertile soil, and pristine ocean make it ideal for producing outstanding, great-tasting nutritious food and beverages.
The Alliance Group delivers a wide range of chilled, frozen, and aged beef cuts to meet exacting quality standards, with their product portfolio of world-class beef, including Pure South and Handpicked Beef ranges.
The UK-New Zealand FTA is the second trade agreement with a non-EU country that the UK has negotiated since Brexit. An FTA with Australia was signed in December 2021.
