Frozen velvet exports to China set to resume

Agreement has been finalised between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and China’s customs authorities (GACC) to resume exports of New Zealand frozen deer velvet to the valuable Chinese market, effective immediately.

“This is just such a good result for the New Zealand deer industry,” says Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) CEO Rhys Griffiths. “With this comes certainty that trade can continue for our largest velvet export market this season."

"Our farmers and exporters can now get about their work knowing that New Zealand velvet has a pathway to the Chinese market.”

Griffiths and Deer Velvet Access Group (DVAG) Project Manager Damon Paling are currently in China and are speaking with importers about their operational readiness, including relevant government approvals, to enable clearance at their end.

Negotiations between MPI and GACC have been ongoing since November 2023, when GACC informed MPI that alignment to the traditional Chinese medicine regulations meant that frozen velvet would no longer qualify for importation. At the time, the China market for New Zealand velvet was worth $88 million, or 71% of New Zealand’s velvet exports, and growing.

Renegotiating international trade agreements are often complex, but both the New Zealand and Chinese sides worked constructively in search of a resolution in a timely manner, their efforts recognised by Griffiths.

“A massive thanks to so many for their work on this, starting with Trade Minister McClay, MPI and GACC, as they have worked tirelessly for months to achieve this result. Also to the team at DINZ and those on the DVAG, who were tasked with coordinating with MPI.”

DINZ now looks ahead to the long-term sustainability of our trade with China and opening doors to new opportunities for value-added deer velvet products, a wider range of sales channels, and an expanded customer base.