Summary

This links to the Agriculture browse category on the Statistics New Zealand website.This links to the Agriculture browse category on the Statistics New Zealand website.

Note

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The 2024 Agriculture Production Survey is part of an ongoing programme of agricultural production statistics conducted in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries. Previous sample surveys were held in 2003–06, 2008–11, 2013–16, 2018–2021 and 2023 with censuses in 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022. Agriculture Production Survey measures farming operations below the enterprise level.

DATA SOURCE: Statistics New Zealand Agricultural Production Survey (APS)

Adapted by Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand to provide for environmental reporting transparency

Dataset used to develop the "Farm numbers and size" indicator [available at https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/farm-numbers-and-size]

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We present the number and area of farms in New Zealand and by region from 2002 to 2019.

More information on this dataset and how it relates to our environmental reporting indicators and topics can be found in the attached data quality pdf.

GDP from Agriculture in New Zealand increased to 3779 NZD Million in the first quarter of 2025 from 3749 NZD Million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - New Zealand Gdp From Agriculture- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

DATA SOURCE: Statistics New Zealand Agricultural Production Survey (APS)

Adapted by Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand to provide for environmental reporting transparency

Dataset used to develop the "Agricultural and horticultural land use" indicator (available at https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/agricultural-and-horticultural-land-use)

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This indicator reports on the use of land for primary production purposes, specifically agricultural land uses, such as beef and sheep farming and dairying, horticultural land uses, such as fruit and berry, and vegetable growing, and other land uses, such as forestry. We do this for the period 2002 to 2019.

More information on this dataset and how it relates to our environmental reporting indicators and topics can be found in the attached data quality pdf.

In 2023, around 2.47 thousand gigawatt hours of electricity were consumed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries in New Zealand. This marked a decrease in agricultural electricity consumption compared to the previous year.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) in New Zealand was reported at 5.7802 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. New Zealand - Agriculture, value added (% of GDP) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Agricultural land (% of land area) in New Zealand was reported at 37.02 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. New Zealand - Agricultural land (% of land area) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

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;

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.

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 79.2 thousand people were employed in the New Zealand agriculture industry. Agriculture’s economic contribution With a GDP contribution of over 14 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.

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.

New Zealand: Value added in the agricultural sector as percent of GDP: The latest value from 2021 is 5.78 percent, an increase from 5.71 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 10.33 percent, based on data from 183 countries. Historically, the average for New Zealand from 1971 to 2021 is 7.1 percent. The minimum value, 4.47 percent, was reached in 2015 while the maximum of 13.16 percent was recorded in 1972.

New Zealand: Agricultural land, sq. km.: The latest value from 2021 is 101750 sq. km., an increase from 101540 sq. km. in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 245857 sq. km., based on data from 193 countries. Historically, the average for New Zealand from 1961 to 2021 is 128063 sq. km.. The minimum value, 101540 sq. km., was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 151875 sq. km. was recorded in 1981.

DATA SOURCE: Statistics New Zealand Agricultural Production Survey (APS)

Adapted by Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand to provide for environmental reporting transparency

Dataset used to develop the "livestock numbers" indicator [available at https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/livestock-numbers]

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This indicator measures the numbers of farmed dairy cattle, beef cattle, deer, and sheep over time nationally, by region, and territorial authority, and approximates the density of these livestock across New Zealand.

More information on this dataset and how it relates to our environmental reporting indicators and topics can be found in the attached data quality pdf.

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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in New Zealand was reported at 5.6206 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. New Zealand - Employment in agriculture (% of total employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

New Zealand NZ: Production Index: 2004-2006: Crop data was reported at 121.300 2004-2006=100 in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 122.180 2004-2006=100 for 2015. New Zealand NZ: Production Index: 2004-2006: Crop data is updated yearly, averaging 67.635 2004-2006=100 from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2016, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 122.180 2004-2006=100 in 2015 and a record low of 19.980 2004-2006=100 in 1961. New Zealand NZ: Production Index: 2004-2006: Crop 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 Index. Crop production index shows agricultural production for each year relative to the base period 2004-2006. It includes all crops except fodder crops. Regional and income group aggregates for the FAO's production indexes are calculated from the underlying values in international dollars, normalized to the base period 2004-2006.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.; Weighted average;

Employment in agriculture, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in New Zealand was reported at 4.1586 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. New Zealand - Employees, agriculture, female (% of female employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

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;

This statistic presents the area of land used for agriculture in New Zealand from 2007 to 2016. In 2016, approximately **** million hectares of land were used for agricultural purposes in New Zealand.