New Zealand's biggest seafood exporter Sanford is having issues getting salmon through Chinese ports.

It comes as suspicions grow that China is turning up the heat on this country because of the Huawei saga.

Sanford is not attributing its recent administrative issues getting shipments cleared to the deteriorating New Zealand-China relationship, but chief customer officer Andre Gargiulo says no reason has been given for the issues which have impacted several shipments of fresh salmon since the end of last month.

China is the biggest export market for many New Zealand primary products, including dairy, seafood and kiwifruit.

The tourism industry is also concerned.

The English version of the People's Daily newspaper says New Zealand has fallen out of favour with some Chinese travellers.

The paper is regarded as the mouthpiece of the Chinese government.