TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF KIWIFRUIT
3. MARKET STRUCTURE OF KIWIFRUIT
4. IMPACT OF NATIONAL POLICIES on Kiwi Fruits
5. GLOBAL ECONOMIC TRENDS of Kiwi Fruits
6. REFERENCES
This essay is an analysis of the Kiwifruit industry, which is a major player of the horticulture landscape of New Zealand. It is exported to 53 countries and 30% share of the global export is with this country.
This essay examines and analyses the factors effecting the demand and supply of the product, the market structure of the industry both domestic and international and the dimensions on which the firms in the sector interact with each other. The analyses also cover the impact of the national polices over the industry and how it is affected by the global economic trends.
It may be pertinent to mention here that in New Zealand the kiwifruit Industry is a regulated Industry. Two of the important legislations which govern it are the Kiwifruit Industry Restructuring Act, 1999 and the Kiwifruit Export Regulations, 1999.
2. FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF KIWIFRUIT INDUSTRY
· TASTESAND PREFERENCES - Advertisement, lifestyle, customer perception, health considerations, and memories of eating the good on previous occasions influence tastes and preferences(Sloman, Norris, & Garrett, 2013). First and foremost, in the case of kiwifruit, being its high rating as a super food. Its distinctive melon like taste is unique. A recent nutritional study showed that the kiwifruit has more fiber than bran. Its vitamin ‘C’ contents are thrice as rich as an orange. It has low-calories and is sodium-free. It contains lot of potassium and calcium.
· INCOME - As income increases, people's demand for most commodities will increase. These goods are normal goods. When people are wealthier, they spend less on inferior products, such as bad fruit cuts, and turn to higher quality products (Sloman et al., 2013).Within the fruit bowl the Kiwifruit is still in an underdeveloped category. But the fruit has huge further growth and demand potential. As incomes in many countries increased, imports (especially from new emerging markets) also increased, particularly in Asia. (Bano. S, Scrimgeour F, 2012).
· THE NUMBER AND PRICE OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS – Apple and Pears are substitute for Kiwifruit. When the prices of inferior fruits (Apple and Pears) rise the demand of normal fruit (Kiwifruit which has higher nutritive value) will increase because price is sensitive and once it gets increase the people will prefer more kiwifruit. The higher the inferior product price, the higher the demand for normal goods would be as people turn from the substitutes ((Sloman et al., 2013).The price will not differentiate much between inferior goods and normal goods. People will prefer kiwifruit more than apple and pears if price increases.
· DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME - If national income were allocated to high-income earners from those with low incomes, the demand for luxury goods would increase. Kiwifruit is the super-food with high nutritive value. The cost of kiwifruit is high and cannot be purchased by low income earners frequently. Kiwifruit has always been the preference of higher income earners.
Impact of changes in determinants of demand on market equilibrium price and quantity
There is increase in demand (shift the demand curve right/up) due to positive change in determinants of Kiwifruit. Positive changes result in an increase of both equilibrium price and quantity. This is easily visible by looking at the red dots marked 1 and 2. Initially equilibrium point is at 1 but when there is a rightward shift in demand curve the price as well as quantity of Kiwifruit has increased.
There is decrease in demand (shift the demand curve left/down) due to negative change in determinants of Kiwifruit. Negative changes result in a decrease of both equilibrium price and quantity. Initially equilibrium point is at P and Q but when there is leftward shift in demand curve the price as well as quantity of kiwifruit has decrease and new equilibrium has been formed at price P1 and quantity Q1.
· USE OF TECHNOLOGY- Technology in the form and robotics and automation helps improve efficiency in the horticulture sector including kiwifruit supply chain in New Zealand. Sensors used in the supply chain provide accurate real time information and data for analysis. Robotic harvesters which work day and night are deployed in the orchards to pick up fruits. High accuracy GPS units; Drones (UAV) used to capture aerial imagery; and, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to process and present the maps are being deployed to map the orchards with high value kiwifruit varieties. High accuracy results about crop estimation, biosecurity readiness, pest and disease management and more are obtained with the use of these three complementary technologies for advance planning with confidence and precision. In post harvest operations automated bin trippers , infra red camera and robotic packing and stacking technology is being deployed. The use of this advanced technology has brought in accuracy and speed in the supply chain.
· GEOPOLITICAL UNCERTAINTIES - In this connection mention may be made of the Brexit induced negotiations for the exit deal of United Kingdom from the European Union. Due to delay in this process there have been considerable distractions as well as uncertainty since the last two years. The process of FTA with EU and New Zealand has also been hanging fire. US/China tariff war is another factor under this category. Similarly, in the name of food security and self-sufficiency protectionist policies are being espoused by some of the countries. All these factors represent a significant risk in so far as the international trade environment is concerned and have jeopardized the growth of New Zealand’s export business of Kiwifruit. Non tariff barriers have impacted the demand of the fruit internationally.
· THE NUMEBR OF SUPPLIERS AND THE ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS- In order to beat the competition, new varieties of kiwifruit better in taste, quality and consistency needs to be introduced and given proper branding and promotional campaigns. This is, however, a cost intensive exercise needing high spending in research and innovation. Moreover new varieties take several years to grow. It can be made available in sufficient quantity when a large number of growers cultivate the same. All these issues add up to increased cost of production. The other alternative to compete with the rivals in the market is to ensure that Zespri manage to supply the kiwifruit to the international market throughout the year. This is achieved by getting the fruit cultivated offshore in the southern hemisphere region in Italy and China as the harvesting seasons in the northern and southern hemisphere complement each other. When the harvesting season ends in northern hemisphere, it starts in southern hemisphere. (NZKGI, 2018-kiwifruit book).
· NATURE, ‘RANDOM SHOCKS’ AND OTHER UNPREDICTABLE EVENTS -Adverse weather such as frost, cyclone, drought, etc, Biosecurity incursion, Food safety/contamination risks, labour constraints are some other factors which impact the supply of the kiwifruit. (NZKGI, 2018-kiwifruit book). PSA the bacterial disease which effected the kiwifruit in 2010 devasted the harvest and had hindered the supply ( NZ herald,2010)
Supply curve shifts rightward leading to new equilibrium price and quantity. New equilibrium price is less than initial equilibrium but quantity has been increased in new equilibrium.
There is decrease in supply (shift the demand curve left/ up) due to negative change in determinants of Kiwi. Negative changes result in a decrease of quantity and increase in price. Initially equilibrium point is at P and Q but when there is leftward shift in supply curve the price Kiwi has gone up and quantity supplied went down.
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Demand of kiwifruits are inelastic( very less elastic) in nature in short run as it is categorized as a super product among various fruits available in the market in terms of health benefits, minerals and vitamins available in Kiwi fruits. Increase in price of Kiwi fruits tends to decrease demand of Kiwi fruits in short run to a very lower extent. Generally, in long run, demand of products remain more elastic, however, looking into nutritious benefits of kiwi fruits as compared to its substitutes , it tend to remain less elastic in long run as has been observed in continuous increase in demand of kiwi fruits year over year around the importing countries.
Price elasticity of Supply
Supply elasticity of Kiwi fruits is very less elastic near to inelastic in short run due to limitation of resources required to produce Kiwi fruits however, in long run, supply elasticity is elastic in nature as production capacity can be easily increased in long run as has been seen from statistical data of increase in quantity of exports over year and year.
(Market structure may be different domestically and internationally. Justify your conclusions about the structure. Consider also carefully the interactions. The firms may not interact only on price. They may also cooperate at some levels and not just compete with each other.)
There are 2681 kiwifruit growers in New Zealand with 2900 registered orchards spread in 12185 hectares. In 2017/18 the earnings from the export of the kiwifruit produce was $1.859 billion, up significantly 12% from 2016/17(Retrieved from http://kiwifruit-Book.pdf). In 2018 New Zealand exported 417000 tonnes of kiwifruit. (Global Trade, Nov5, 2019 issue).
Market Structure for EXPORT of Kiwi fruits –
For most of exports of Kiwi fruit there is monopoly market that exists in Newzealand. However, for export to Australia, there is oligopolistic market structure.
MONOPOLY – A monopoly exists when there is only one firm in the industry. Zespri is the major player in export market from Newzealand to other countries except Australia. The Kiwifruit Export Regulations, 1999 govern and regulate the export. Under the provisions of the said regulations only a single marketer, namely, Zespri Group limited has been permitted to export and market the Kiwifruits grown in New Zealand to the countries outside Australasia (Retrieved from http://kiwifruit-Book.pdf).The firm’s monopoly position by patents on the essentials(Sloman et al., 2013). Zespri has patent gold kiwi. Zespri has copyright. The various forms of licensing and tariffs and trade restrictions are applicable to keep the one firm to operate from Newzealand for exporting kiwifruit. This arrangement is what is called the Single Point of Entry (SPE). Provision for collaborative marketing arrangements between other marketers and Zespri has also been made under the Regulations and is defined as “an arrangement by which a person may export New Zealand grown kiwifruit in collaboration with Zespri Group Limited”. Collaborative marketing has “the purpose of increasing the overall wealth of New Zealand kiwifruit producers.” This arrangement makes Zespri, in effect, a monopsony buyer of kiwifruit, grown in New Zealand, for export. The New Zealand Kiwifruit Authority has the look and most of the mechanisms of a state- sanctioned marketing monopoly. It is not mandatory for the producers of the NZ kiwifruit to have share ownership in Zespri. The growers receive the payment for their produce form the packhouse and cold storage Company, or a legal entity of group of growers which negotiates the contract with the packhouse on their behalf. The Zespri and the packhouses have a direct contract called the ‘Supply agreement’. The packhouses are called the registered suppliers.
OLIGOPOLY – Oligopoly occurs when there are few firms sharing a large proportion of the industry(Sloman et al., 2013).There are few firms like SEEKA which exports to AUSTRALIA. Export of kiwifruit to Australia is governed under the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority Act,1987. Both firms have identical product kiwifruit. Both the firms SEEKA and ZESPRI are interdependent. Each firm is affected by its rival’s action. Both the firms SEEKA and ZESPRI does not ignore the actions and reactions of each other in kiwifruit industry. The price change or product enhancement will affect the other firm and vice-versa. The companies are interdependent. If a company changes its price or product quality it will be influenced by the rival's sales(Sloman et al., 2013).
INTERNATIONAL MARKET STRUCTURE of KIWI Fruit-
Zespri is the largest firm to export globally the kiwifruit. ZESPRI is among the top choice for the kiwifruit because of its superior quality of kiwis. Zespri grows the best-tasting kiwifruit whichever variety to be choose either green kiwi or gold kiwi. The size of the kiwis are large as comparing it global varieties. Zespri has a brand name in the global market because of its better nutritive content. There are several other countries who are the producers of kiwifruit like Italy, Chile, Greece, Belgium, Iran and many more.
As stated by globaltrademag.com “ EXPORTS BY COUNTRIES IN 2007 TO 2018
New Zealand (417K tonnes) and Italy (289K tonnes) were the key exporters of kiwi fruit in 2018, resulting at near 29% and 20% of total exports, respectively.
By making use of the economy scale, setting for high standard quality, developing markets and spending in Research and Development, the SPE arrangement has been instrumental in improving the value of the kiwifruit industry exports. All these measures have helped Zespri to compete effectively in international markets and command a premium for its world leading brand. The kiwifruit growers of Newzealand have benefitted from the price that the Zespri pay for their fruits (Retrieved from http://kiwifruit-Book.pdf).
Impact of national Policies on kiwifruit industry of NewZealand
(Note the broadness of this. The industry may be affected by the government’s fiscal and monetary policies. There could be other areas where they are also impacted. For instance transport and environment policies may have strong impact. Try not to just list the policies that apply but focus on the most important ones for the industry.)
The National Policy of a country provides an operating environment which is fundamental to any industry for its operation. Therefore, the responsibility for success of kiwifruit industry is to be shouldered not only by the kiwifruit growers, post harvest operators and the exporter but also on the environment in which they operate. Any change in the operating environment influences the structure and performance of an industry. The major policy change for the kiwifruit industry had been the regulation the industry through legislation. In 1977 the New Zealand Kiwifruit marketing Authority was created by the Government under its power under the Primary Product Marketing Act 1953. The authority not only provided controls to the producers but also regulated and coordinated the number of exporters through issue of license. It also set high quality and enforced the standards set for the kiwifruit industry. The other interventions by the authority were through controls on packaging and marketing. It also funded R&D (Wills 1994).
Q4. How it is affected by the global economic trends.
(Note again that this is general. Many thins have the potential to affect your industry. These could range from other country’s economic performance, political stability, trends in energy prices etc. Focus on most important and analyze them.
In its annual report for the year 2019 the NZ horticulture Export Authority has identified following global trends which impacted the New Zealand exports.
1.Turbulent international trading conditions and sluggish growth (World Economic Outlook, July 2019)
New Zealand Dollar was less volatile. It remained at slightly lower levels which helped New Zealand to retain the export competitiveness across a range of international markets with a weighted trade index of 71 down by one point.
In 2019 a balancing occurred in the supply/demand of fright environment. Low performing and obsolete vessels were cut down with a view to rationalizing efficiency. Freight rates eased for the three quarters of the year. These recovered in the last quarter of the calendar year. Bunker fuel prices also fluctuated, 10 to 20% lower from previous year. Competition among carriers remained strong. Trade uncertainties combined with the January 2020 deadline for introduction of the Global Sulphur Cap (whereby the cap on sulphur content of marine fuels will be cut from 3.5% to 0.5%), will impact the supply/demand situation as shipping lines will hasten the scrapping of older vessels. This may also impact the future freight cost structure dynamics. The decarbonisation of shipping is a leading issue for the industry to address.
Following global issues are of concern to the horticulture sector of New Zealand:
· Delayed progress in negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with EU due to the uncertainty of a deal between UK and EU over Brexit
· The US/China tariff war
· Protectionist policies that are being espoused in the name of food security and self-sufficiency represent a significant risk to the international trading environment and jeopardize our growth prospects.
· Non-tariff measures in particular are impacting on the development of our export sectors.
· As far as horticulture is concerned, the usage, availability and sustainability of water is a key issue in developed markets in Europe and North America.
· In Asian and Latin American economies, investment in large infrastructure projects relating to food production continued at pace, and contingent upon access to water, horticulture crops retained prominence as a desirable land use,.
· More products with less sugar and/or additives, plant-based products, probiotic foods, food waste reduction/management, traceability and integrity, convenient online food shopping to save time, all continued to feature as themes in the top ten consumer trends.
· Search for plastic packaging and wrapping alternatives is a key issue for the horticulture sector.
· The carbon footprint of food production is being debated globally with renewed vigor which, may require public reinforcement of earlier research on New Zealand’s positive credentials as regards production and transport to markets. Encouraging a more Collaborative Horticulture
REFERENCES
Sloman, J., Norris, K., & Garrett, D. (2013). Principles of economics. Pearson Higher Education AU.
Bano, S., & Scrimgeour, F. (2012). The export growth and revealed comparative advantage of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. International Business Research, 5(2), 73.
Scrimgeour, F., & Locke, S. (2015). Review of Kiwifruit New Zealand. Available at SSRN 3286701.
Jim (2020).Monopolostic competition
http://www.investopedia.com/m/monopolisticmarket.asp
Newzealand horticulture export authority. (2012). Kiwifruit.
http://www.hea.co.nz/2012-05-11-03-05-28/kiwifruit-trade
https://www.globaltrademag.com/
http://www.hea.co.nz/2012-05-11-03-05-28/kiwifruit-trade
https://www.nzkgi.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-Kiwifruit-Book.pdf
