National trade group

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 22

National trade group

The New Zealand Grocery Manufacturers’ Association (G.M.A.) is the national trade group of 102 members representing the interests of the grocery manufacturing industry.

The common thread between members is that their products are sold in retail grocery outlets. Several thousand different grocery product lines — both food and non-food — are manufactured by G.M.A. members.

These include such diverse goods as biscuits, confectionary, frozen foods, beverages, toothpaste, household cleansers, razor blades, pantyhose, batteries, cigarettes, clothes pegs, shampoos and pet food. The grocery manufactur-

ing industry is one of New Zealand’s most important It employs, directly, in excess of 40,000 people and has annual sales of more than $3 billion. The industry is a major contributor to New Zealand’s export growth.

The most important overseas market has been Australia.

Australia and Japan are our two major markets for manufactured exports. Other markets like the United States, Fiji, United Kingdom, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong are also important Australia, with opportunities under C.E.R., is likely to remain our major market for manufactured goods. Over 65 per cent of manu-

factured exports to Japan are composed of aluminium. In 1963-.64 total manufactured exports were SIIM. Nearly two-thirds , was from paper products and processed foods.

In 1983-84 manufactured exports were $2490 million, spread over a wide range of products. Added value products make an important contribution to the total. There has been a major spin-off from these exports for the home market It is now highly likely that the fencing wire the fanner uses is made from New Zealand steel; the aluminium ladder used by the home handy man from New Zealand aluminium; and the car seat cover from our own sheep. -