Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable (jarred preserve)
Industry PositionValue-added processed fruit product
Market
Conventional strawberry jam in New Zealand is a shelf-stable processed fruit spread sold primarily through supermarket channels and produced by local brands as well as private-label offerings. Products sold as “jam” must comply with compositional requirements in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Standard 2.3.2—Jam), including minimum water-soluble solids and (when fruit is named) minimum fruit content. Market offerings include both conventional “no added colours/flavours/preservatives” positioned jams and reduced-sugar “fruit preserve” style products. Manufacturers may source strawberries domestically where possible, but producers note that weather events and seasonal picker availability can constrain NZ strawberry supply in some seasons, increasing reliance on non-local inputs.
Market RoleDomestic consumer market with local manufacturing and some imported products and/or imported inputs
Domestic RoleCommon retail pantry spread and baking ingredient
Market Growth
SeasonalityYear-round retail availability; fruit sourcing may vary by season and supply conditions.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighProducts sold as “jam” in New Zealand must meet Standard 2.3.2—Jam compositional requirements (including minimum water-soluble solids and, when fruit is named, minimum fruit content). Non-compliance can prevent legal sale and trigger enforcement actions, withdrawal, or importer corrective actions.Verify formulation and finished-product specifications against Standard 2.3.2—Jam and applicable labelling/composition standards before production or import; retain batch records supporting compliance.
Biosecurity MediumImported processed foods from plants must meet MPI biosecurity requirements under the relevant import health standard and obtain biosecurity clearance; consignments that do not comply may face clearance directions such as reprocessing, re-export, or destruction.Confirm the applicable import health standard and ensure packaging is clean/secure and documentation (e.g., manufacturer declarations/treatment certificates where required) is complete before shipment.
Supply MediumDomestic strawberry input availability can be disrupted by weather events and seasonal picker shortages, and at least one NZ producer reports this can prevent sourcing sufficient NZ strawberries in a season, increasing reliance on non-local fruit inputs or causing production planning disruption.Contract diversified fruit supply (domestic and approved imported sources), maintain safety stock of key inputs (fruit, sugar, pectin), and align production planning to seasonal procurement risk.
Documentation Gap MediumImporters must lodge an electronic import entry and provide required shipping and clearance documents (e.g., invoice and bill of lading/airway bill). Late or incomplete documentation can delay clearance and increase storage costs while goods remain in storage facilities awaiting customs clearance.Prepare import entry and core documents in advance, use a customs broker/freight forwarder, and run a pre-arrival document checklist aligned to the MPI import health standard and any food safety clearance triggers.
Labor & Social- Seasonal picker availability constraints can affect domestic strawberry sourcing; a New Zealand jam producer reports that weather events combined with a lack of seasonal pickers can prevent sourcing sufficient NZ strawberries in a given season.
FAQ
What compositional rules apply if a product is sold as “strawberry jam” in New Zealand?Under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Standard 2.3.2—Jam), food sold as jam must contain at least 650 g/kg of water-soluble solids. If the label names a fruit (such as strawberry), the jam must be made from at least 400 g/kg of that fruit.
What are typical importer responsibilities for bringing strawberry jam (a processed plant food) into New Zealand for sale?MPI requires registered food importers to assess and confirm the food is safe and suitable before it arrives in New Zealand, and to keep evidence of that assessment. Imported processed plant foods must also meet biosecurity requirements under the relevant import health standard and obtain clearance, and must comply with the Food Act 2014 and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (including labelling and composition rules).
Which documents are commonly needed for customs/border processing when importing packaged jam into New Zealand?You generally need to lodge an electronic import entry with New Zealand Customs and have core shipping documents such as the invoice and the bill of lading or airway bill. Depending on the applicable MPI import health standard and any clearance triggers, additional documents (such as a manufacturer’s certificate or treatment certificates) may also be required.