In February, Chile and New Zealand signed the Strategic Agricultural Agreement, an instrument that will renew and expand bilateral cooperation in agriculture, forestry, and livestock for the 2026–2030 period, thereby strengthening the historic relationship between the two countries, which is based on open production systems, innovation, and a strong focus on exports.
The signing of the agreement was led by Minister Ignacia Fernández and her New Zealand counterpart, the Honorable Minister Todd McClay. The new agreement establishes a framework for cooperation that will enable deeper technical exchanges, political dialogue, and international coordination on key issues for the development of the agri-food sector.
The agreement identifies priority areas for cooperation. These include facilitating agricultural trade and promoting dialogue to reduce unnecessary barriers to the exchange of goods; coordinating efforts in multilateral forums such as APEC and the World Trade Organization; building capacity through exchange and training programs for students and professionals; and promoting research and innovation.
The agreement also promotes the exchange of experiences and best practices in areas of mutual interest to both countries, such as horticulture, fruit growing, beekeeping, and wine production, as well as the strengthening of policies and programs that encourage the participation of women, rural communities, and indigenous peoples in the development of the agricultural sector.
Chile and New Zealand maintain a close and complementary agricultural relationship, characterized by their commitment to a rules-based, transparent, and open agricultural trading system. This new agreement reaffirms both countries’ commitment to continuing to work together to address global challenges such as climate change, food security, and the sustainability of agri-food systems.
Read the original article on the website of Chile's Office of Agricultural Studies and Policy.
