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 Agribusiness sector plays a key role in New Zealand's economy. This sector spans various agricultural production and service operations within the food supply chain, featuring major industries like the Cheese, Butter and Milk Powder Manufacturing industry and the Meat Processing industry. The dairy segment particularly propels the Agribusiness sector, benefiting from New Zealand’s favourable climate and extensive R&D capabilities, which drive robust international demand. Despite its historical stability, the sector has been experiencing new volatility challenges arising from macroeconomic shifts, interest rate increases since 2022 and evolving trade policies. Compounding these pressures are delayed environmental measures, which potentially jeopardise New Zealand’s premium export reputation and necessitate robust pricing and cashflow strategies. Overall, the sector’s revenue is expected to have declined at an annualised 0.04% over the past five years to $129.7 billion in 2024-25, when revenue is anticipated to grow 0.3%. Exports are crucial for sustaining agribusiness, and are expected to account for about one-third of the sector’s overall revenue in 2024-25. However, ongoing dairy trade disputes with Canada and weakening consumer confidence in China have exerted pressure on export performance. While strong milk and beef prices have supported a profit rebound post-pandemic, reduced demand from China – particularly for whole milk powder – has squeezed margins. These factors underscore the sector's volatility, which has led New Zealand exporters to adapt rapidly to shifting trade dynamics and consumer sentiment. By refining product offerings and closely monitoring global market trends, operators aim to maintain their competitive edge despite these challenges. Looking ahead, export demand is forecast to grow as demand from China recovers. Projected declines in costs for inputs, like fertilisers and feed, are likely to enhance profitability in the dairy and meat industries. A shift in consumer preferences towards sustainable products may also spur growth in niches like manuka honey. However, impending resource management reforms and emissions pricing deadlines could impose short-term financial pressures, even as they strengthen the sector’s eco-compliance. Consolidation within the sector might yield economies of scale but could strain smaller operators that lack specialised products or strong distribution networks. As logistical challenges ease, new growth opportunities may arise, though labour retention will remain an issue. Strategic planning and proactive risk management will preserve margins and competitiveness. This combination of factors is set to culminate in forecast annualised growth in revenue of 1.2% over the five years through 2029-30 to $137.9 billion.

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.

New Zealand: Value added in the agricultural sector as percent of GDP: The latest value from 2022 is 4.57 percent, a decline from 5.77 percent in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 10.28 percent, based on data from 184 countries. Historically, the average for New Zealand from 1971 to 2022 is 7.05 percent. The minimum value, 4.47 percent, was reached in 2015 while the maximum of 13.16 percent was recorded in 1972.

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.

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.

The Agricultural 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, and 2013–14, 2018–2020, with censuses in 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017. Agriculture Production Survey measures farming operations below the enterprise level.

The New Zealand agricultural harvester market fell dramatically to $43M in 2024, with a decrease of -27.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a abrupt downturn. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $93M. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2024, around **** thousand gigawatt hours of electricity were consumed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries in New Zealand. This marked an increase in agricultural electricity consumption compared to the previous year.

This statistic shows the distribution of the gross domestic product (GDP) across economic sectors in New Zealand from 2011 to 2021. In 2021, agriculture contributed around 5.78 percent to the GDP of New Zealand, 18.97 percent came from the industry and 67.11 percent from the service sector.

New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing data was reported at 1,227.000 Jun2001=1000 in Jun 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,223.000 Jun2001=1000 for Mar 2010. New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing data is updated quarterly, averaging 1,102.000 Jun2001=1000 from Jun 2001 (Median) to Jun 2010, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,227.000 Jun2001=1000 in Jun 2010 and a record low of 1,000.000 Jun2001=1000 in Jun 2001. New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.G008: Labour Cost Index: By Industry: Jun2001=1000.

The industry’s revenue has grown due to augmented demand for agricultural and industrial chemicals. ’Strong exports and improved farming practices have boosted the agricultural sector’s demand for fertilisers and pesticides, though recent declines in China's demand for Australian dairy and meat present demand challenges. Construction demand, although volatile, has benefited from population growth, urbanisation and government infrastructure investment, which support demand for industrial chemicals. Conversely, intensified competition from low-cost imports from Brazil and South-East Asia has eroded domestic wholesalers' market share in basic chemicals. Overall, industry revenue is anticipated to have risen at an annualised 2.4% over the past five years and is expected to total $3.22 billion in 2024-25, when revenue will drop by an estimated 1.8%. Favourable pricing and demand trends have improved profit margins for chemical product wholesalers, which typically operate on thin margins reliant on high sales volumes. Over the past five years, high fertiliser prices and sustained demand from the agriculture and construction sectors have boosted profitability. Although purchase costs spiked in 2021-22 due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, subsequent price stabilisation has eased cost pressures. Industry enterprise numbers have slightly increased as small generalist wholesalers exit and specialised wholesalers enter, succeeding through higher margins in niche markets. Forecast growth in the agricultural sector will likely lead wholesalers to prioritise high-quality products like advanced plant protection and animal health solutions that enhance farm productivity. While improvements in fertiliser and insecticide effectiveness are set to boost demand, declining global fertiliser prices may constrain revenue growth. Moderate expansion is projected for specialty chemicals, driven by their critical applications in construction, health care, energy and agriculture. Technological advancements in industrial processes will further stimulate demand, although stringent regulations on handling hazardous materials may limit profitability for smaller operators, potentially reducing the number of enterprises but increasing overall industry profitability. This combination of factors is set to culminate in annualised revenue growth of 0.2% over the five years through 2029-30, to $3.25 billion.

In 2022, emissions from the agriculture sector accounted for **** percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent. It was the highest greenhouse gas-emitting primary industry, with the mining, forestry, and fishing sectors contributing a much lower share of emissions. Agriculture’s contribution to emissions While the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in New Zealand’s economy, the environmental impact has been highlighted in recent years. Possibly in response to tightening regulations, the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions were projected to decrease slightly by 2020. Methane, which comes from the ruminant emissions of cows, is the most dominant greenhouse gas in this sector. Apart from methane, nitrous oxide is also emitted from this sector, when fertilizer soaks into soil or water. Action on agricultural emissions Most New Zealanders support a reduction in the country’s greenhouse emissions. In late 2019, a zero-carbon bill was passed in New Zealand. One of the initiatives of the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act was to reduce biogenic methane in New Zealand by between ** and ** percent by 2050. Major changes in this sector may be expected, in order for the country to maintain integrity in its agriculture practices while moving towards the emissions target as outlined in the bill.

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.

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

In 2023, the volume of greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector in New Zealand amounted to 40.61 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, reflecting a slight year-on-year decrease. Methane was the leading greenhouse gas emitted in this sector.

In 2019, there were ****** employees in New Zealand who worked for agriculture, forestry and fishing enterprises which had an enterprise size of one to five employees. Comparatively, for the same year, there were ****** employees in New Zealand who worked for agriculture, forestry and fishing enterprises which had an enterprise size of ** to ** employees.

New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Exclude Overtime: Private: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Fishing, Aqua & Agri, Forest & Fish Support Service data was reported at 1,172.000 Jun2009=1000 in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,165.000 Jun2009=1000 for Dec 2017. New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Exclude Overtime: Private: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Fishing, Aqua & Agri, Forest & Fish Support Service data is updated quarterly, averaging 1,088.000 Jun2009=1000 from Jun 2009 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 36 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,172.000 Jun2009=1000 in Mar 2018 and a record low of 1,000.000 Jun2009=1000 in Sep 2009. New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Exclude Overtime: Private: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Fishing, Aqua & Agri, Forest & Fish Support Service data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.G014: Labour Cost Index: Exclude Overtime: By Industry: Jun2009=1000.

New Zealand GDP: Fishing, Aquaculture and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Support Services data was reported at 2,218.000 NZD mn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,166.000 NZD mn for 2016. New Zealand GDP: Fishing, Aquaculture and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Support Services data is updated yearly, averaging 772.500 NZD mn from Mar 1972 (Median) to 2017, with 46 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,218.000 NZD mn in 2017 and a record low of 77.000 NZD mn in 1972. New Zealand GDP: Fishing, Aquaculture and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Support Services data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.A005: SNA08: GDP by Industry: ANZSIC06: Current Price.

New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Exclude Overtime: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Agriculture data was reported at 1,231.000 Jun2001=1000 in Jun 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,228.000 Jun2001=1000 for Mar 2010. New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Exclude Overtime: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Agriculture data is updated quarterly, averaging 1,113.000 Jun2001=1000 from Jun 2001 (Median) to Jun 2010, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,231.000 Jun2001=1000 in Jun 2010 and a record low of 1,000.000 Jun2001=1000 in Jun 2001. New Zealand Labour Cost Index: Exclude Overtime: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Agriculture data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.G014: Labour Cost Index: Exclude Overtime: By Industry: Jun2001=1000.