New Zealand food is a hit with Singaporeans this month with sales of produce from the food-producing nation up nearly 10 per cent year-on-year.

Driving the growth is sales of fruit, such as apples, up more than 20 percent, seafood up 29 percent and sales of fish fillets both frozen and fresh, have more than quadrupled.

Singaporeans are also relishing the chance to eat delicious meat and seafood from New Zealand both out of and at home, with the opening of a New Zealand restaurant, Fern & Kiwi, coinciding with a nationwide promotion of New Zealand food at FairPrice stores.

“We see this as a symbiotic relationship – Singapore imports the bulk of its food and is fast growing an international reputation as the food hub of Asia. New Zealand is a food producing nation with a bounty of seafood, beef, lamb, dairy, honey, fruit and specialty products as well as wine exports,” says New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Singapore, Ziena Jalil.

Already, more than 70 per cent of New Zealand’s total exports to Singapore comprise of food and beverage products.

“Some trends we are noticing include the growing demand for convenience food items, sustainable products and food with added health benefits.”

Shane Hausler, director of the new Clarke Quay restaurant Fern & Kiwi, says that he is also looking forward to bringing the fresh taste of New Zealand to Singaporeans.

“We see Fern & Kiwi as a location where Singaporeans can experience warm New Zealand hospitality and delicious Kiwi produce, including fresh fish and succulent lamb.”

From September 6 – 19 over 100 NTUC FairPrice supermarkets nationwide will promote a variety of delicious New Zealand food and beverage products.

Highlights include New Zealand’s native Greenshell mussels, which are known for their high omega 3 rates. Snap frozen vegetables, grocery and dairy items will also be featured.

Customers who purchase New Zealand products during the FairPrice promotion will be in to win a trip for two New Zealand and five S$125 vouchers at Fern and Kiwi.