ExportNZ Food and Beverage Roadshow due in Napier

The 2017 ExportNZ Food and Beverage Roadshow arrives Tuesday next week. Photo/File

The 2017 ExportNZ Food and Beverage Roadshow arrives Tuesday next week, with this year's focus on market access issues to arm exporters with the knowledge they need, says ExportNZ Hawke's Bay Executive Officer Amanda Liddle.

"Our region is driven by our exporters - 2016 data shows that exports accounted for 52.5 per cent of the region's GDP," she said.

"This is a real opportunity for our exporters, given the Hawke's Bay is well known for its quality food and beverage production."

The roadshow will cover market access developments in China, Asean, Europe, Middle East, and the USA, including recent regulatory changes such as the USA Food Safety Modernisation Act. It will also introduce exporters to MPI's new Exporter Regulatory Advice Service.

"Market access issues are constantly changing, which means exporters need to ensure they have the right information and support. This year's roadshow is a chance to meet the market access team from MPI as well as representatives from NZTE & MFAT and get up to speed."

ExportNZ Hawke's Bay has lined up six speakers that include experts in market access, international regulatory frameworks, export systems and support. The roadshow aims to give exporters better insight into how government works across the various agencies - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry for Primary Industry and NZ Customs Service - to improve New Zealand exporters' access to overseas markets.

"If you're a food and beverage exporter, this event will be most helpful," says Ms Liddle.