New Zealand's kiwifruit exporter Zespri sees Mexico's decision to reduce import tariffs by 20% as the first step in a campaign to cut import taxes worldwide, website Radionz.co.nz reported.

Zespri chief executive Lain Jager said his organization would continue to push for tariff reforms in major Asian markets such as Korea where NZ$30 million (US$23 million) tarrifs a year were paid.

He said although Japan had lower tariffs, it was a big market for New Zealand and had expressed an interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was positive progress for the industry.

New Zealand and eight other countries involved in the trans-Pacific partnership negotiations, have agreed on the broad outlines of a free trade agreement.

Mexico accounts for just 1-2% of New Zealand's kiwifruit exports but its decision to reduce tarrifs will save the industry NZ$1 million a year (US$769,263) which Jager said would be useful in the current Psa-V crisis.

Photo: Topnews.net.nz

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