- Hon Todd McClay
New Zealand's sheep and beef farmers are delivering record-breaking red meat export sales and driving strong farmgate returns to the rural economy Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
"March was a standout month for our red meat exporters, with a record $1.26 billion in export sales-a 34 per cent increase on March last year. First quarter exports also hit $3.28 billion, up 28 per cent from last year. This is great news for farmers, processors, and rural communities across New Zealand," Mr McClay says.
The global appetite for high-quality, natural protein is continuing to grow, driving strong prices for New Zealand lamb and beef.
"This reflects a deeper, longer-term shift in global consumer behaviour. People everywhere are turning to clean, high-quality, safe and sustainable animal protein, and New Zealand is delivering," Mr McClay says.
Beef and Lamb New Zealand's February forecast projected red meat export revenue to achieve an additional $1.2 billion for the 2024/25 production year. That outlook is well on track, thanks to our farmers hard work and world leading production, with April Stats NZ data confirming an additional $1.1 billion or 5 per cent increase in red meat exports over the past year bringing the total value to $10.6 billion.
The Government is doing its part to ensure farmers see more returns at the farm gate by restoring confidence, slashing red tape, and opening up new opportunities.
Key actions to drive growth and keep Wellington out of farming include:
- Removed agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme
- Currently banning full farm-to-forest conversions
- Started the process of replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management
- Moved to fundamentally reform the Resource Management Act
- Halted unworkable winter grazing, stock exclusion, and Significant Natural Area (SNA) rules
- Begun rebalancing Te Mana o te Wai to restore the rights of all water users
- Disbanded Labour's He Waka Eke Noa initiative
- Repealed the punitive Ute Tax
- Commenced an inquiry into rural banking
- Halted Labour's costly Freshwater Farm Plans
- Completed a number of Free Trade Agreements that offer farmers greater opportunity in new markets
- Removed $733 million in non-tariff trade barriers
"Our farmers are world leaders in producing high-quality, safe, sustainable, grass-fed meat. This Government backs them 100 per cent, and we'll keep cutting through the red tape so they can keep delivering for New Zealand," Mr McClay says.
