A global report on mergers and acquisitions shows emerging economies are on the lookout for new deals, with a KPMG partner saying New Zealand's food industry could be in their sights.
KPMG's latest Emerging Markets International Acquisition Tracker report shows trade buyers from emerging economies are back on the acquisition trail.
However, deals instigated by those in developed economies are still declining.
KPMG corporate finance partner Tony McNaught says the findings indicate emerging economies have rebounded faster from the downturn.
And Mr McNaught says more cross-border mergers and acquisitions are likely.
He says China is driving much of the activity and emerging countries want to buy into strategic assets, particularly resources, in developing countries such as Australia and Canada.
Mr McNaught says New Zealand does not have the natural resources that Australia does, but can offer technology and assets that are attractive to foreigners, such as food technology industries.
He says he is talking to two offshore Asia-Pacific firms about investing in New Zealand, but it is still at an early stage in both cases.
