Agriculture is one of New Zealand’s leading industries, employing thousands of people and contributing to a significant portion of the country’s overseas trade. In 2024, around **** thousand people were employed in the New Zealand agriculture industry. Agriculture’s economic contribution With a GDP contribution of over ** billion New Zealand dollars, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry is one of the nation’s most important. A large portion of the country’s agricultural products are exported. The dairy industry was the leading primary goods export industry in New Zealand, with meat and wool products following behind. Agricultural products New Zealand produces a vast array of agricultural products for both domestic consumption and exports. The kiwi is perhaps one of the fruits most associated with New Zealand’s horticultural sector, with a high-volume and wide variety sold in the country. Similarly, New Zealand dairy products, such as milk and milk powders, are also well-known on the global stage.

The agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry is a major production and export industry in New Zealand. In the year ended March 2024, the gross domestic product (GDP) of this industry amounted to over **** billion New Zealand dollars.  New Zealand agriculture  Pastoral farming of sheep and cattle constitutes a large portion of the New Zealand agriculture industry. Despite continuing a declining trend, New Zealand’s sheep population exceeded ** million in 2024. Sheep meat and wool are both important agricultural commodities produced in the country. These products, along with beef and lamb, are consumed domestically as well as exported overseas. Horticulture production is also an important segment. A wide variety of fresh and processed fruit and vegetables are produced, consumed, and exported from New Zealand. The highest value of horticultural exports from New Zealand went to Asia in 2024. Changing consumption habits The consumption of beef and veal in New Zealand is projected to decrease over the next years. At the same time, global meat consumption is predicted to reduce significantly in the next 15 years, with meat replacements and alternatives filling the market. With the country’s agriculture industry dependent on its meat exports, this presents both challenges and opportunities for New Zealand agriculture.

Market Size statistics on the Beef Cattle Farming industry in New Zealand

New Zealand Grain Farming Market is expected to grow during 2025-2031

Graph and download economic data for Benchmarked Unit Labor Costs - Business Sector (Excluding Agriculture) for New Zealand (DISCONTINUED) (NZLULCBXAAPNMEI) from 1979 to 2010 about New Zealand, unit labor cost, agriculture, sector, business, and rate.

In 2019, the number of female employees who worked in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry in New Zealand was just under ** thousand. The number of women working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry in New Zealand has declined gradually since 2017.

New Zealand NZ: Aquaculture Production data was reported at 109,016.200 Metric Ton in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 91,275.300 Metric Ton for 2015. New Zealand NZ: Aquaculture Production data is updated yearly, averaging 26,985.000 Metric Ton from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 117,266.000 Metric Ton in 2011 and a record low of 1,000.000 Metric Ton in 1961. New Zealand NZ: Aquaculture Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank.WDI: Agricultural Production and Consumption. Aquaculture is understood to mean the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Aquaculture production specifically refers to output from aquaculture activities, which are designated for final harvest for consumption.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization.; Sum;

Explore New Zealand's role in global agriculture, highlighting its top-quality dairy, meat, horticultural products, and forestry practices that define its economy and international reputation.

New Zealand NZ: Total Fisheries Production data was reported at 533,807.200 Metric Ton in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 524,588.200 Metric Ton for 2015. New Zealand NZ: Total Fisheries Production data is updated yearly, averaging 304,555.000 Metric Ton from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 741,836.100 Metric Ton in 1998 and a record low of 44,557.000 Metric Ton in 1964. New Zealand NZ: Total Fisheries Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank.WDI: Agricultural Production and Consumption. Total fisheries production measures the volume of aquatic species caught by a country for all commercial, industrial, recreational and subsistence purposes. The harvest from mariculture, aquaculture and other kinds of fish farming is also included.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization.; Sum;

Data on the economic performance of the agriculture industry describes agriculture’s contribution to the New Zealand economy. It provides supporting information for the land, atmosphere and climate, and freshwater domains.

This dataset relates to the "Economic performance of the agriculture industry" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.

Market Size statistics on the Dairy Cattle Farming industry in New Zealand

Number of Businesses statistics on the Sheep Farming industry in New Zealand

New Zealand NZ: Fertilizer Consumption: % of Fertilizer Production data was reported at 338.126 % in 2016. This stayed constant from the previous number of 338.126 % for 2015. New Zealand NZ: Fertilizer Consumption: % of Fertilizer Production data is updated yearly, averaging 254.142 % from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2016, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 409.117 % in 2006 and a record low of 175.929 % in 2010. New Zealand NZ: Fertilizer Consumption: % of Fertilizer Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank.WDI: Agricultural Production and Consumption. Fertilizer consumption measures the quantity of plant nutrients used per unit of arable land. Fertilizer products cover nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers (including ground rock phosphate). Traditional nutrients--animal and plant manures--are not included. For the purpose of data dissemination, FAO has adopted the concept of a calendar year (January to December). Some countries compile fertilizer data on a calendar year basis, while others are on a split-year basis.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.; Weighted average;

Market Size statistics on the Poultry Meat and Egg Farming industry in New Zealand

In the 2024 dairy season, the average dairy farm size was *** effective hectares in New Zealand. The average farm size has consistently increased over the past decade, correlating with an increase in the average herd size during the same period. Dairy farming nation Dairy farming is an important sector in New Zealand due to the high export value of dairy products from the country. Primarily pasture-based, dairy farming is in operation across the entire country. The Waikato in the North Island was the region with the highest share of dairy cows in New Zealand. In the South Island, the North Canterbury region held the largest share of dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed cows made up the largest share of dairy cows in New Zealand. Dairy products and export Aside from fresh milk, New Zealand produces vast quantities of dairy products, including whole and skim milk powder, butter, cheese, infant milk formula, and other whey products. A large share of these products are exported to China, Australia, the U.S., Japan, and Malaysia. The total export revenue of the dairy industry in New Zealand reached **** billion New Zealand dollars in 2024.  

Market Size statistics on the Sheep-Beef Cattle Farming industry in New Zealand

New Zealand Agriculture Tools Market is expected to grow during 2025-2031

New Zealand NZ: Capture Fisheries Production data was reported at 424,791.000 Metric Ton in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 433,312.900 Metric Ton for 2015. New Zealand NZ: Capture Fisheries Production data is updated yearly, averaging 276,804.000 Metric Ton from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 648,917.000 Metric Ton in 1997 and a record low of 42,657.000 Metric Ton in 1964. New Zealand NZ: Capture Fisheries Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank.WDI: Agricultural Production and Consumption. Capture fisheries production measures the volume of fish catches landed by a country for all commercial, industrial, recreational and subsistence purposes.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization.; Sum;

In 2018, the energy demand in the agriculture industry in New Zealand amounted to around ** petajoules. In the same year, the energy demand in New Zealand was dominated by the industrial and transport sectors.

New Zealand NZ: GDP: Growth: Gross Value Added: Agriculture data was reported at -0.306 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.642 % for 2016. New Zealand NZ: GDP: Growth: Gross Value Added: Agriculture data is updated yearly, averaging 0.885 % from Mar 1979 (Median) to 2017, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.471 % in 1986 and a record low of -15.816 % in 2008. New Zealand NZ: GDP: Growth: Gross Value Added: Agriculture data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank: Gross Domestic Product: Annual Growth Rate. Annual growth rate for agricultural value added based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2010 U.S. dollars. Agriculture corresponds to ISIC divisions 1-5 and includes forestry, hunting, and fishing, as well as cultivation of crops and livestock production. Value added is the net output of a sector after adding up all outputs and subtracting intermediate inputs. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or depletion and degradation of natural resources. The origin of value added is determined by the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC), revision 3 or 4.; ; World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; Weighted Average; Note: Data for OECD countries are based on ISIC, revision 4.