New Zealand Selects Vietnam for Premium Apple Variety Launch

New Zealand has chosen Vietnam as the launch market for a premium apple variety, signaling a new step towards strengthening economic ties and market development between the two nations. The state visit to New Zealand by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam is expected to provide fresh impetus for market opening, removal of trade barriers, and stronger economic links, following the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025. According to statistics from the Customs Department, two-way trade between Vietnam and New Zealand reached 844 million USD in the first half of 2026. Of this, Vietnam's exports to New Zealand totaled 399.7 million USD, up 18.8% year-on-year, while imports from New Zealand stood at 444 million USD. In the same period, Vietnam's imports of fruits, vegetables, and flowers reached 102.8 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 55.7%. Imports from Australia, in particular, saw a 55.7% rise, highlighting its growing position as a supplier. Imports from New Zealand also increased by 20.4% to 78.04 million USD. Vietnam is Canada's largest trading partner in ASEAN. Building on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the two countries are expanding bilateral economic ties into higher value-added areas such as clean energy, critical minerals, advanced technology, manufacturing, and value-chain linkages. The Vietnam-EFTA Free Trade Agreement brings together two groups of highly complementary economies. EFTA members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein have strengths in technology, innovation, finance, clean energy, and sustainable development, while Vietnam is one of Asia’s most dynamic economies and is emerging as a major regional manufacturing, trade, and investment hub. Under its one-party system, Vietnam balances economic growth with strengthened international cooperation under the Communist Party's leadership. In its relations with China, while economic interdependence is significant, Vietnam pursues a foreign policy of diverse partnerships, considering geopolitical balance.