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.

Demand from cattle and sheep farms heavily influences the Livestock and Other Agricultural Supplies Wholesaling industry. The industry wholesales a range of agricultural goods, including hay, stockfeed, nursery and orchard stock, seeds, cut flowers, hides and leather. Wide fluctuations in sheep pricing over the past five years, combined with a downwards trend in sheep meat production, have proven challenging for wholesalers. Still, the industry has benefited from favourable demand from the dairy cattle farming segment, and buoyant demand from the horticulture market has positively contributed to the industry’s performance. Adverse weather conditions and shifts in land use towards forestry have resulted in reduced livestock numbers, dampening wholesaling activity. Industry revenue is expected to decline at an annualised 2.6% over the five years through 2025-26 to $8.4 billion. Robust export demand for kiwifruit and rising domestic consumption of berries have led to increased sales of seeds and seedlings, driving anticipated revenue growth of 0.4% in 2025-26. Despite the industry’s deteriorating revenue performance, industry participation has climbed as small-scale wholesalers chasing business in narrow regional or niche product markets have entered the industry. Industry employment has remained relatively stable, but adverse demand and rising input prices have eroded the industry’s profit performance. Emarketplaces, including online auctions and exchanges, have emerged as crucial channels for industry transactions. Adopting digital platforms enhances transparency, expands reach and reduces wholesalers’ reliance on intermediaries, like brokers and agents, in the livestock supply chain. Downstream livestock manufacturers have developed their own distribution channels, enabling them to sell directly to retailers and consumers, thereby bypassing wholesalers. These manufacturers can use their own distribution channels to achieve higher profitability and respond more quickly to market demands. Further deterioration in the size of the national sheep flock and the volume of sheep meat production will weigh on the industry’s performance over the coming years. Still, stable trends in the dairy, beef and veal markets will buoy the industry’s performance. Livestock and agricultural product wholesalers will also benefit from improved horticultural production, which will climb to meet growing demand from New Zealanders for fresh, sustainable and homegrown food. The increased use of online auction platforms will enhance the efficiency of wholesale activity. Overall, revenue is forecast to increase at an annualised 0.5% over the next five years to $8.6 billion in 2030-31.

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Beef Cattle Farming industry in New Zealand

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

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;

Number of Businesses statistics on the Dairy Cattle Farming industry in New Zealand

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.

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

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;

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 Beef Cattle Farming industry has faced a complex period characterised by weather volatility, tightening cattle supply and shifting global demand patterns. Herd rebuilding efforts following drought and floods have constrained slaughter volumes, particularly in the South Island, while the North Island experienced more favourable conditions. This supply tightening has pushed farm-gate prices to near record levels, supporting farmer incomes despite sustained pressure from high input costs. Surging prices have not done enough to offset low cattle numbers, with industry revenue set to contract at an annualised 1.5% over the five years through 2025-26 to $3.56 billion, including an anticipated 2.3% slump in 2025-26. Export markets have shifted significantly in recent years. Meat processors purchase most beef cattle and export the bulk of their output, exposing farmers to global market conditions. An economic slowdown has reduced demand from China. Still, strong appetite in the United States, the United Kingdom and the EU has offset this decline. The move towards higher-value markets has lifted average export prices but also increased exposure to geopolitical and trade policy risks. Rising regulatory requirements like the 2025 stock exclusion from waterways and stricter nutrient management add operational costs and complexity. Investments in fencing, riparian planting and effluent management are increasing, while uncertainty around emissions pricing and environmental rules continues to influence long-term farm planning. Input cost inflation has moderated but remains high compared to pre-2021 levels, while interest costs have nearly doubled since 2021–22, creating financial strain and limiting farm expansion. The Beef Cattle Farming industry is primed for growth in the coming period. The planned reinstatement of live cattle exports by sea will reopen essential trade routes to South-East Asia and the Middle East. Indonesia's commitment to import millions of live cattle by 2029 offers a significant growth opportunity. Meanwhile, the adoption of advanced technologies like genomic testing, AI-driven breeding and precision farming will boost efficiency and help farmers manage increasing climate variability. However, alternative proteins and growing sustainability expectations will require ongoing innovation for farmers to remain competitive in premium markets. Regulatory uncertainty around environmental compliance will continue to challenge the industry, highlighting the need for careful investment to future-proof operations while maintaining profitability and meeting ethical standards. With these opportunities and risks in play, industry revenue is set to recover at an annualised 0.5% through 2030–31 to reach $3.6 billion, as farmers strive to build a more resilient and sustainable future.

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;

New Zealand NZ: Land under Cereal Production data was reported at 130,787.000 ha in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 138,865.000 ha for 2015. New Zealand NZ: Land under Cereal Production data is updated yearly, averaging 151,473.000 ha from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2016, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 266,842.000 ha in 1986 and a record low of 112,204.000 ha in 2006. New Zealand NZ: Land under Cereal 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. Land under cereal production refers to harvested area, although some countries report only sown or cultivated area. Cereals include wheat, rice, maize, barley, oats, rye, millet, sorghum, buckwheat, and mixed grains. Production data on cereals relate to crops harvested for dry grain only. Cereal crops harvested for hay or harvested green for food, feed, or silage and those used for grazing are excluded.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.; Sum;

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.