Improved access into the EU would be hugely beneficial to industry growth, commented Philip Gregan, New Zealand Winegrowers CEO. “An FTA with the EU would be a great outcome for New Zealand’s wine industry. The EU, as a whole, represents our single largest market, with exports totalling over $460 million and representing in excess of 30% of total wine exports.

“Secure and competitive access to markets like the EU is fundamental towards achieving industry growth ambitions,” Gregan said. “We would like to congratulate the government on taking a significant first step towards progressing Free Trade negotiations.”

NZ Wingrowers suggested that the announcement comes at a very opportune time for New Zealand’s wine industry, with a number of major wine events planned for the EU during January, and the world’s largest wine fair, ProWein, taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany in March.

It said that New Zealand's wine exports are currently valued at $1.47 billion, and the industry has a goal of achieving $2 billion by 2020.