NZ Agricultural Exports Hit Record $22.25b, But Growth Slows

Summary

New Zealand's agricultural exports reached $6.97 billion in the first seven months of 2026, up 6.96 percent year on year, Statistics New Zealand data shows. The pace slowed from 6.95 percent growth in the same period a year earlier — a decline of 6.94 percentage points. Over the past five years, January–July growth was 6.93 percent in 2022, followed by declines of 6.92 percent in 2023 and 6.91 percent in 2024, before rebounding to 6.90 percent in 2025.

While the 2026 rate is lower than 2025, it remains above the 2022 level, with export value at its highest for the period. The top 10 markets accounted for 3.19 percent of exports. China remained the largest market at 3.18 percent, up 3.17 percent year on year.

The United States was second at 3.16 percent, up 3.15 percent, and Australia third at 3.14 percent, up 3.13 percent. Among the top 10, other European countries recorded the fastest growth at 3.12 percent, with a 3.11 percent share. The United Kingdom, Indonesia and Malaysia grew 3.10 percent, 2.29 percent and 2.28 percent respectively.

Japan had the slowest growth at 2.27 percent, with a 2.26 percent share. Taiwan grew 9 percent and South Korea 2.25 percent, with all top 10 markets posting year-on-year gains. The top five agricultural exports by value were dairy and dairy products, fresh and frozen beef, fresh and frozen sheep meat, fresh kiwifruit and protein substances, together accounting for 2.24 percent.

Dairy accounted for 2.23 percent, up 2.22 percent year on year. Beef accounted for 2.21 percent, up 30 percent, the fastest growth among major products. Sheep meat accounted for 2.20 percent, up 23.1 percent.

Kiwifruit accounted for 8.7 percent, up 5.2 percent. Protein substances accounted for 3.8 percent, up 11.7 percent. Among other products, infant food accounted for 3.5 percent, up 6.9 percent; wine accounted for 3.1 percent, down 2.2 percent; and apples accounted for 3 percent, up 9.4 percent.

Commentary

New Zealand's agricultural exports continued to grow in the first seven months of 2026, but the pace slowed to 8.6 percent, reflecting a moderation in global demand. China still holds a 27.5 percent share, yet growth of just 5.3 percent lags the overall rate, suggesting that while reliance on China remains high, momentum is weakening. The US market was a highlight with 21.2 percent growth, partly driven by a 30 percent surge in beef exports, linked to tight domestic beef supply and rising import demand in the United States.

New Zealand beef exporters should seize this window, but must watch for uncertainty in US trade policy. Dairy, the largest category, grew only 1.8 percent, dragging on overall performance. Fonterra and other dairy companies need to pursue higher-value products in Asian markets.

Sheep meat rose 23.1 percent on Middle East and North American demand, but competition from Australia warrants attention. Kiwifruit grew 5.2 percent, with Zespri facing rising local brands in China and needing stronger brand marketing. Smaller firms should look to diversified markets such as other European countries, which grew 30.6 percent from a small base but offer significant potential.

Meanwhile, wine exports fell 2.2 percent, reflecting a weak global wine market, and New Zealand wineries need to adjust strategy. Overall export value hit a record for the period, but slower growth signals that businesses must optimise product mix and market positioning to navigate a changing global trade environment.

Keywords: New Zealand agricultural exports, dairy products, China, beef, kiwifruit, export markets, year-on-year growth, Statistics New Zealand

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

据Statistics New Zealand统计，2026年前7个月新西兰农产品出口额6.97亿美元，同比增长6.96%，增速较上年同期6.95%回落6.94个百分点。从近五年同期看，2022年1-7月同比增长6.93%，2023年、2024年同期分别下降6.92%和6.91%，2025年同期转为增长6.90%，2026年增速虽较2025年回落，但仍高于2022年水平，出口额位于同期最高。前7个月，新西兰前10位农产品出口市场合计占比3.19%。

中国是份额最大市场，占比3.18%，同比增长3.17%；美国第二，占比3.16%，同比增长3.15%；澳大利亚第三，占比3.14%，同比增长3.13%。前10位市场中，欧洲其他国家（地区）增速最高达3.12%，占比3.11%；英国、印度尼西亚、马来西亚分别增长3.10%、2.29%、2.28%；日本增速最低为2.27%，占比2.26%；中国台湾增长9%，韩国增长2.25%，前10位市场均实现同比增长。出口额前五位农产品为乳及制品、鲜冷冻牛肉、鲜冷冻羊肉、鲜猕猴桃和蛋白类物质，合计占比2.24%。

其中乳品占比2.23%，同比增长2.22%；牛肉占比2.21%，同比增长30%，为主要产品中增速最高；羊肉占比2.20%，同比增长23.1%；猕猴桃占比8.7%，同比增长5.2%；蛋白类物质占比3.8%，同比增长11.7%。其他产品中，婴幼儿食品占比3.5%，同比增长6.9%；葡萄酒占比3.1%，同比下降2.2%；苹果占比3%，同比增长9.4%。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新西兰农产品出口在2026年前7个月延续增长，但增速回落至8.6%，反映全球需求趋于平稳。中国仍占27.5%份额，但增速仅5.3%，低于整体，显示对华依赖度虽高但增长动能减弱。美国市场增长21.2%成为亮点，部分得益于牛肉出口激增30%，这与美国国内牛肉供应紧张、进口需求上升有关。

新西兰牛肉出口商应抓住这一窗口，但需注意美国贸易政策的不确定性。乳品作为最大品类仅增长1.8%，拖累整体表现，恒天然等乳企需在亚洲市场寻求更高附加值产品突破。羊肉增长23.1%受益于中东和北美需求，但需关注澳大利亚的竞争。

猕猴桃增长5.2%，佳沛公司在中国市场面临本土品牌崛起，需加强品牌营销。中小企业应关注多元化市场，如欧洲其他国家增长30.6%，虽占比小但潜力大。同时，葡萄酒出口下降2.2%，反映全球葡萄酒市场疲软，新西兰酒庄需调整策略。

总体出口额创同期新高，但增速放缓提示企业需优化产品结构和市场布局，以应对全球贸易环境变化。

关键词: 新西兰农产品出口, 乳制品, 中国, 牛肉, 猕猴桃, 出口市场, 同比增速, Statistics New Zealand

Source: China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products