New Zealand's Economy
Lamb, Wool and Kiwifruit
How New Zealand's lamb and wool exports declined as Britain joined Europe, and how it rebranded the Chinese gooseberry as kiwifruit and built Zespri.
New Zealand’s farm exports changed over time.
Sheep
- Sheep once far outnumbered people.
- Lamb and wool were key exports to Britain.
Britain joins Europe
When Britain joined the EEC in 1973, New Zealand lost preferential access, forcing it to find new markets.
Wool decline
Synthetic fibres cut wool prices, and sheep numbers fell sharply.
Kiwifruit
- Originally the Chinese gooseberry, it was renamed kiwifruit for export marketing in 1959.
- Zespri, a grower-owned marketer, sells it worldwide.
- The SunGold variety boosted sales.
Lesson
Branding and new markets can reinvent farm exports.
The rebrand
Renaming the Chinese gooseberry as kiwifruit helped sell it to American buyers.
Thinking kiwifruit is native to New Zealand
It came from China.
Key takeaways
- Lamb and wool once went to Britain.
- Britain's 1973 EEC entry forced new markets.
- Wool declined with synthetics.
- Kiwifruit branding and Zespri built a big export.
No recording for this one yet - EconReader can read it aloud for you.