Growth In Export Markets For New Zealand Milk Powder

Milk powder exports were valued at $9.7 billion in the year ended April 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

Milk powder made up 14 percent of the total value of exports for the same period, making it our largest export commodity.

Since the year ended April 2008, annual milk powder export values have increased 109 percent, and quantities have increased 112 percent.

In the year ended April 2024, China was the main destination for our milk powder exports. Over this period, 30 percent of our milk powder exports were sent to China.

"China has been our top milk powder destination for a long time, but we have also seen strong growth in exports to other markets," international trade manager Alasdair Allen said.

In the year ended April 2024, milk powder was exported to over 100 countries.

The table below shows our main milk powder export destinations.

The signing of the free trade agreement with China in 2008 accelerated exports to China.

Milk powder exports to China increased 987 percent in value, and 1004 percent in quantity in the year ended April 2024, compared with the year ended April 2008.

Recently, milk powder exports to China have fallen, with this decrease being mainly quantity driven.

Although quantities to China have fallen recently, at an overall level they remain stable.

"Over the last decade, milk powder export quantities have averaged 1.8 billion kilograms per year," Allen said.

"Prices have strongly influenced the amount New Zealand has received for our exports at times, especially in 2014, and late 2022."

Although our milk powder export values have been increasing, dairy cattle numbers have been gradually decreasing since 2014.

Agricultural production statistics: Year to June 2023 (final) has more information.