New Zealand wines targets China

New Zealand Winegrowers chairman Stuart Smith agreed companies must adapt by putting more money into overseas marketing and concentrating on quality to make it through the global downturn with a solid business and reputation.

The main targets were Scandinavia and the east coast of Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

NZ Winegrowers deputy chairman Steven Green, who owns Carrick Wines of Central Otago, said oversupply was a problem all over New Zealand, and was not limited to Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

An average Marlborough sauvignon blanc grower capped at 12 tonnes a hectare made about $1200 a tonne. That equates to $14,400 a hectare.