KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Malaysia and New Zealand have finalised an implementing arrangement (IA) on the recognition of the equivalence of New Zealand’s dairy sanitary measures related to food safety.
This IA is under the food safety and quality division of the Ministry of Health (MOH).
The two countries also finalised an IA on the export plan for the export of plant products from Malaysia to New Zealand that will open market access for Malaysian agricultural products to New Zealand, beginning with pineapples.
“The implementation of this IA will create export opportunities for pineapples, with export value projected at RM30.9 million by 2030. Additionally, Malaysia expressed its intention to explore potential market access for watermelons and mangosteens through future IAs,” said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) in a statement last Thursday.
These two IAs were concluded at the sixth meeting of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee of the Malaysia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (the 6th Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee Malaysia – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Meeting – SPSC MNZFTA) in Wellington, New Zealand, on October 6.
The meeting was co-chaired by KPKM deputy secretary-general (policy) Norazman Ayob.
“This meeting, held periodically since the MNZFTA was signed in 2009, aims to strengthen cooperation in sanitary and phytosanitary measures between the two countries, particularly in ensuring that agricultural and food trade between Malaysia and New Zealand runs smoothly while meeting internationally recognised standards for food safety, animal and plant health,” said KPKM.
“In 2024, the value of bilateral trade in the agriculture sector between Malaysia and New Zealand reached RM5.78 billion.
“Of this total, Malaysia’s exports amounted to RM1.75 billion, comprising mainly animal feed, coffee, cocoa, and processed food products such as sugar-based items. Meanwhile, imports from New Zealand to Malaysia consisted of dairy products, meat, and various other processed food products.”
Also present at the meeting were Malaysia’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, as well as officers from KPKM, the Office of the High Commissioner of Malaysia, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
