Spirited Export Performance

Distilled Spirits Association Of New Zealand Inc
Level 3 Quay Tower
29 Customs Street
Auckland

23 August 2002

News release
For Immediate Use

Spirited Export Performance

Exports of New Zealand-made spirits and liqueurs exceeded $60m for the first time ever.

Statistics New Zealand trade data released last week showed in the year ended June 2002, the spirits industry’s export receipts were a record $62.5 million – up 5 per cent on 2001.

Export volumes of spirits stood at 9.2 million litres.

Australia remains our key export destination amongst the 35 markets our exports are dispatched to. She also takes 52 per cent of spirits valued at $32 million. The figures also reveal Asia as an important market.

Distilled Spirits Association chief executive Thomas Chin said spirits’ export success was built on the industry’s strong commitment to quality, innovation and technical excellence.

Commenting on the results, Mr Chin said “New Zealand is a small country in the Southern Pacific Ocean with a remarkable export story.

We have the potential to achieve even better results if a strong domestic base is fostered by government through fairer domestic liquor market sales legislation”.

Government says it is committed to working with exporters and it is now good sense for them to bring about a level domestic playing field.

“A reform of the excise tax regime, placing the domestic spirits tax rate on a par with beer and wine would also be particularly helpful to the industry”.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Thomas Chin
Chief Executive Officer
Ph (09) 300-5930
Mb 021-679-989

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