As of June 2024, there were approximately 23.59 million sheep in New Zealand, a slight decrease from the previous year in which there were around 24.36 million sheep in the country. The number of sheep in the country has declined over the past decade.  Sheep farming New Zealand was once known for its disproportionate number of sheep per population. However, since the 1970s, the country’s sheep population has fallen drastically. A major factor that has contributed to this decline is sheep farming land lost to other purposes such as urban sprawl, dairy farming, and horticulture farming. The number of lamb livestock has similarly seen a decline. Consumption and exports Sheep in New Zealand are bred for wool and meat, including mutton and lamb. New Zealand is a significant player in the global wool market. The country exports strong wool to leading textile manufacturers around the world. However, along with sheep numbers, wool production has decreased significantly across New Zealand. In terms of domestic meat consumption, the per capita consumption of sheep meat in New Zealand was forecast to decline into the next decade. When looking at trade, the leading country for sheep meat exports from New Zealand was China, with the United Kingdom and the United States trailing behind.

As of June 2024, there were approximately 21.12 million lamb livestock in New Zealand, an increase from the previous year where there were around 21.04 million lambs marked or tailed in the country. The number of lamb livestock has decreased significantly compared to the beginning of the measured period, 2014.

New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: North Island: Northland data was reported at 328.033 Head th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 366.197 Head th for 2016. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: North Island: Northland data is updated yearly, averaging 524.010 Head th from Jun 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,293.657 Head th in 1990 and a record low of 328.033 Head th in 2017. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: North Island: Northland 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.B001: Number of Livestock: By Region.

New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: North Island: Waikato data was reported at 1,478.921 Head th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,666.388 Head th for 2016. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: North Island: Waikato data is updated yearly, averaging 2,506.265 Head th from Jun 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,471.206 Head th in 1990 and a record low of 1,478.921 Head th in 2017. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: North Island: Waikato 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.B001: Number of Livestock: By Region.

New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: South Island: Nelson data was reported at 4.729 Head th in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.531 Head th for 2015. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: South Island: Nelson data is updated yearly, averaging 11.532 Head th from Jun 1993 (Median) to 2016, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24.075 Head th in 1993 and a record low of 4.673 Head th in 2009. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: South Island: Nelson 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.B001: Number of Livestock: By Region.

In 2020, the number of sheep livestock on Maori farms in New Zealand amounted to approximately 819.9 thousand. The figure shows a slight decrease from 843.2 thousand in the previous year.

This statistic depicts the number of breeding sheep on Maori farms across New Zealand from 2008 to 2019. As of June 2019, there were approximately 602.7 thousand breeding sheep livestock on Maori farms in New Zealand, a decrease from the previous year where there were around 613 thousand breeding sheep livestock.

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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New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Breeding Ewes 2 Tooth & Over: North Island data was reported at 8,643.000 Head th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8,923.000 Head th for 2016. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Breeding Ewes 2 Tooth & Over: North Island data is updated yearly, averaging 10,553.500 Head th from Jun 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,742.000 Head th in 2006 and a record low of 8,643.000 Head th in 2017. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Breeding Ewes 2 Tooth & Over: North Island 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.B001: Number of Livestock: By Region.

Focusing on the forecast period: The consumption per capita of sheep meat in New Zealand was forecast to continuously decrease by 0.5 kilograms per capita (-15.72%) within the next years. Therefore, the consumption per capita is estimated to shrink to 2.64 kilograms per capita in 2031.Consumption per capita is the amount of a certain commodity used per person. The figure is derived by dividing total consumption by total population.Find more key insights for the consumption per capita in countries like Australia.

Sheep-beef cattle farmers have suffered from declining sheep meat production, deteriorating demand for wool and plummeting wool prices over recent years. Nonetheless, greater beef and veal production; and higher lamb, sheep and beef cattle prices have constrained revenue declines. Revenue is expected to edge downwards at an average annual rate of 0.5% over the five years through 2023-24, to $5.2 billion. As domestic meat and wool markets are well established and relatively stagnant, downstream meat processors have been increasingly shifting their focus towards export markets. Local meat processing firms derive over 80% of revenue from export markets. Expanding foreign markets, most notably China, provide an opportunity for sheep and beef cattle farmers raising export-grade livestock to access higher prices. New Zealand’s reputation for high-quality agricultural output allows companies to charge a premium in many export markets. Even so, volatile conditions following the COVID-19 pandemic and global inflationary pressures have limited demand from export markets, contributing to wilting revenue and profitability. Revenue for sheep-beef cattle farmers is anticipated to edge up by 0.5% in 2023-24, as wool and sheep meat prices trend upwards. Even so, prices received for cattle, and the number of sheep and lamb slaughtered are set to decline, offsetting some of the rise in sales volume. Sheep-beef farmers will face intensifying external competition amid rising health consciousness in years to come. Since many consumers consider leaner proteins, like poultry products, to be healthier, higher health consciousness will constrain domestic meat sales. Even so, farmers will continue benefiting from strong demand for New Zealand agricultural produce in export markets over the coming years. Free trade agreements signed with the United Kingdom and the European Union are set to gradually eliminate trade barriers on beef and sheep meat over the next decade. This development will help offset declines across other markets. That’s why revenue is forecast to inch upward at an average annual rate of 0.3% over the five years through 2028-29, to $5.3 billion.

New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Hawke's Bay data was reported at 191.000 Head th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 142.000 Head th for 2016. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Hawke's Bay data is updated yearly, averaging 203.500 Head th from Jun 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 298.000 Head th in 2005 and a record low of 142.000 Head th in 2016. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Hawke's Bay 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.B001: Number of Livestock: By Region.

As of June 2024, there were approximately 3.66 million beef cattle in New Zealand, a slight decrease from the previous year, when there were around 3.65 million beef cattle in the country. The number of beef cattle, including bulls, steers, and cows fluctuated during the measured period. Livestock farming industry in New Zealand New Zealand is well known for its superior livestock industry, especially in sheep and beef production. While the large sheep population in New Zealand has historical significance, it has declined significantly during the last ten years. The decline can be attributed to numerous factors, including the conversion of sheep farming land for alternative purposes such as urban expansion, the expansion of dairy farming, and the development of horticulture farming. Apart from sheep, there has also been a decrease in the number of lamb cattle. New Zealand’s dairy farming industry The dairy industry is vital to the country’s broader agricultural sector. New Zealand’s cows produce milk processed into various dairy products, consumed locally and internationally. Thus, the dairy industry accounts for a significant amount of New Zealand's export revenue. The environmental challenges facing dairy producers nationwide have gained increasing attention from the public and environmental organizations. The degradation of water quality and greenhouse gas emissions associated with dairy cattle production are two key issues being discussed.

New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Manawatu Wanganui data was reported at 410.000 Head th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 358.000 Head th for 2016. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Manawatu Wanganui data is updated yearly, averaging 413.500 Head th from Jun 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 593.000 Head th in 2006 and a record low of 284.000 Head th in 2008. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Manawatu Wanganui 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.B001: Number of Livestock: By Region.

New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Auckland data was reported at 17.000 Head th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 12.000 Head th for 2016. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Auckland data is updated yearly, averaging 17.000 Head th from Jun 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.000 Head th in 2002 and a record low of 11.000 Head th in 2015. New Zealand Number of Livestock: Sheep: Ewe Hoggets Put to Ram: North Island: Auckland 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.B001: Number of Livestock: By Region.

New Zealand Imports from New Zealand of Sheep or Lamb Skin Leather (Without Wool on) was US$2.21 Thousand during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. New Zealand Imports from New Zealand of Sheep or Lamb Skin Leather (Without Wool on) - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on March of 2025.

In 2024, China was the leading export market for New Zealand's sheep meat, with an export value of around 1.05 billion New Zealand dollars. By comparison, the value of sheep meat exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to around 85 million New Zealand dollars.

New Zealand Exports of meat of sheep or goats, fresh, chilled or frozen to Saudi Arabia was US$32.56 Million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. New Zealand Exports of meat of sheep or goats, fresh, chilled or frozen to Saudi Arabia - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on March of 2025.

In August 2024, the number of lamb livestock slaughtered for export in New Zealand was about 660 thousand. This marked the lowest monthly number of lambs slaughtered for export in the measured period.

Pakistan Exports of sheep or lamb skin leather (without wool on) to New Zealand was US$2.34 Thousand during 2019, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Pakistan Exports of sheep or lamb skin leather (without wool on) to New Zealand - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on March of 2025.