For the year ended December 2013, New Zealand exported $230 million worth of products to Russia, its 35th biggest market. Dairy accounted for $115m, meat $51m, fish and seafood $16m, fruits and nuts and cereal $12m. Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie said that given its economic growth over the last decade or so, plus its wealthy population, there was no reason Russia should not be a major market for New Zealand red meat. Since Australian exports of beef were banned from Russia because of the presence of hormones, demand for New Zealand product had increased towards the end of 2013 and going into early 2014. In 2012 and 2013 overall exports stayed the same at approximately $50m a year, of which approximately $30m is frozen and chilled sheepmeat; $10m chilled and frozen beef; and $10m offals (mainly beef). The overall red meat trade has about doubled in the last decade. Ritchie said it appeared exports were on increasing this year. There had been a rapid rise in exports of chilled beef and beef liver, the latter being popular in Russian cuisine. With the uncertainty over the political crisis in Ukraine, companies were "naturally cautious", he said. Imports from Russia for the same period amounted to $563m, of which oil and minerals made up the overwhelming bulk at $558m, followed by arms and ammunition ($789,000), beverages ($609,000), machinery ($536,000) and iron and steel ($499,000). Russia is New Zealand's 19th largest import partner.
