Meat Leads Rise In Exports In May

New Zealand's total exports were valued at $8.9 billion in May 2026, up $1.4 billion (18 percent) compared with the same period last year, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

Leading the rise in total exports were meat (up $436 million), dairy (up $147 million), aluminium (up $134 million), and fruit (up $113 million).

Together, these four commodity groups made up 61 percent of the total increase in the value of exports in May 2026.

Total imports were valued at $8.1 billion in May 2026, up $1.7 billion (26 percent) compared with the same period last year. Petroleum and petroleum products (up $834 million) led the rise, accounting for almost half the increase in total imports.

"While monthly overseas merchandise trade does not explicitly measure price changes, the rising value of fuel imports was predominately driven by higher prices," international accounts spokesperson Shanna Dilworth said.

Frozen beef exports up 51 percent

Meat exports were valued at $1.5 billion in May 2026, an increase of $436 million (43 percent) compared with May 2025.

Frozen beef led the rise in meat exports, up $228 million (51 percent) to $675 million. Sheep meat, up $146 million (33 percent), and chilled beef, up $31 million (93 percent), also contributed to the rise.

The United States (US) was New Zealand's leading destination for meat exports, up $233 million to $532 million.

"Frozen beef made up over 70 percent of the value of all meat exported to the US in May 2026," Dilworth said. "These exports increased 94 percent to $385 million compared with May 2025."

China was New Zealand's second largest destination for meat exports in May 2026, rising $70 million to $260 million.

Also contributing to the rise in the value of total exports in May 2026 compared with May 2025 were:

• milk powder, butter, and cheese - up $147 million (7.0 percent) to $2.7 billion.
  Milk powder, our top dairy export, was up $208 million (24 percent) to $1.1 billion. Butter was down $52 million (9.0 percent) to $531 million.
• aluminium - up $134 million (90 percent) to $282 million.
  Exports to the European Union (EU), up $65 million, and Japan, up $34 million, saw the largest increases. Higher global aluminium prices contributed to the increase.
• fruit - up $113 million (11 percent) to $1.1 billion.
  Exports to the EU, up $85 million, and US, up $41 million, saw the largest increases. Exports to China were down $52 million.

Fuel drives increase in import values

Total imports were valued at $8.1 billion in May 2026, up $1.7 billion (26 percent) compared with May 2025.

"Fuel accounted for almost half of the increase in the value of imports in May 2026 compared with May 2025," Dilworth said.

Petroleum and petroleum products increased $834 million (104 percent) to $1.6 billion, compared with May 2025. Rising prices for diesel, petrol, and jet fuel all contributed to the increase.