As we step into 2025, the landscape of global trade presents a promising outlook for New Zealand's importers and exporters. The recently released 2025 DHL Trade Atlas reveals significant growth in long-distance trade, and New Zealand is poised to capitalize on this momentum.
A Resilient Recovery
After a challenging few years, the global trade environment has shown remarkable resilience. The total trade value for New Zealand surged from 84.1 billion in 2021 to 92.8 billion in 2024, highlighting a robust recovery. Exports have climbed from 39.6 billion to 43.8 billion, while imports increased from 44.5 billion to 49.1 billion. This upward trend signals a renewed confidence in the market, providing a fertile ground for businesses seeking to expand their international reach.
DHL Express New Zealand has seen a 11% increase in shipments over the past five years, with a 16% rise in exports resulting in international exports accounting for 34% of total shipments. This data indicates shoots of optimism on the horizon for the national economy, despite tough headwinds of late.
Long-Distance Trade: A Key Driver
One of the standout findings of the report is the performance of long-distance trade. In the first nine months of 2024, global trade occurred over the longest average distance on record, reaching 5,000 km. This trend is particularly relevant for New Zealand, as it opens up opportunities for engaging with markets beyond our immediate region. With only 21% of global goods and services crossing borders, there is ample room for growth and exploration.
The 2024 Global Connectedness Report also highlights that the most connected countries, with Singapore sitting at the top, and New Zealand coming in at 43 and Australia at 33, indicating that the largest countries don’t always rank amongst the most globalised, with the Netherlands, Ireland, Luxembourg and Malta rounding out the top five.
Key Export and Import Trends
The 2025 DHL Trade Atlas highlights that dairy products remain New Zealand's top export, accounting for 27% of total exports, followed by meat at 13%. On the import side, industrial machinery and vehicles lead the way, representing 15% and 14% of total imports, respectively. Notably, sectors such as fashion apparel, beauty and cosmetics, healthcare products, and textiles have emerged as significant contributors to our export portfolio, collectively making up 60% of DHL Express exports from New Zealand.
Encouraging Insights for the Future
Mark Foy, Managing Director of DHL Express New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, expresses optimism about the findings: “There are signs of optimism on the horizon for New Zealand’s trading industry. The DHL Atlas results indicate a bounce back in the importing and exporting market, providing a solid foundation for future growth.”
Seizing Opportunities
For New Zealand importers and exporters, the message is clear: now is the time to leverage the strengths identified in the DHL Trade Atlas. As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the global market, DHL Express is here to support your journey towards successful international trade.
Plan your cross-border growth strategy with the DHL Trade Atlas 2025.
As international trade dynamics evolve, businesses must stay informed and agile. The 2025 DHL Trade Atlas serves as a vital resource, offering data-driven insights to help stakeholders navigate the complexities of global trade. With its interactive content, users can customize analyses and explore trade trends by specific countries, regions, and categories of goods.
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