Under the new UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) the UK can now benefit from cheaper products from New Zealand as import tariffs on certain goods are abolished.
Effective from 31 May, the terms of the FTA remove costly historical tariffs from many imported goods, including New Zealand’s prized export, manuka.
The ruling presents the opportunity for imports to lower their RRPs and benefit the end shopper – something honey brand Manuka Doctor has been quick to implement in its own pricing structure.
Coinciding with the FTA coming into force, Manuka Doctor has taken the decision to offer new lower Duty Saving Prices on its website, bringing down the jar price of this popular but premium honey for its online customers.
The brand says its new prices save consumers up to £15 per jar.
Matt Steele, PR director at Manuka Doctor, says he hopes the company’s lead will be followed by all New Zealand brands, enabling Brits to benefit from duty-free manuka.
“Almost overnight the cost of our product has fallen because we no longer need to pay HMRC duty on every container of manuka honey we import from our beehives in New Zealand.
“We’re very happy to pass on this saving directly to UK shoppers and hope that other New Zealand brands – and retailers who stock New Zealand products – will do the same.
“Now more than ever, we think UK shoppers deserve a good deal, and removing import tariffs on manuka honey means we can make it much sweeter for their wallets.”
Under the UK Department for International Trade’s ‘Top 10 Benefits’ of the FTA it lists ‘Kiwi quality at lower prices’ as a key advantage: “Consumers will benefit directly from increased choice, better product quality and lower prices for imported goods. Removing tariffs could make high-quality products that British consumers love more affordable, including Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, manuka honey and kiwi fruit.”
