DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker wraps up a big year for the sector

DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay today. Photo / DairyNZ

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The Ministry for Primary Industries released its Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report with impressive numbers from the dairy industry.

The report said revenue for New Zealand’s dairy products was expected to lift 10% to reach $25.5 billion in the 2025 year, thanks to higher global dairy prices arising from tight global supply.

As well as this, whole milk powder was projected to increase 14% year-on-year which translated through to milk price, resulting in a positive effect on Kiwi farmers, DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker said.

“Farmers are feeling better about their contribution to our economy, which is significant,” he told The Country’s Jamie Mackay.

DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation’s (LIC) recently released New Zealand Dairy Statistics report showed dairy herd numbers had reduced by 12% over the last decade, with a 5% decrease in the total number of milking cows.

However, the report also found production was up, with milksolids per cow increasing to an average of 400kg — 6kg higher than the five-year average of 394 kg milksolids per cow.

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“What it says is farmers are doing a great job at balancing and producing more with less or the same number of animals,” Parker said.

“We’ve started this season strong with production across the country — up 5% at the end of September and into October...so there’s lots to be positive about.”

As for the top dairy-producing region in New Zealand, Parker said it had been evening out between the North and South Islands recently, but one was starting to lead the pack.

“In terms of consistent performance, the broader Canterbury region...under irrigation now...is a significant region for the performance of our sector.”

Finally, Campbell had an end-of-year message for dairy farmers.

“Thank you to all those farmers out there that go to work every day for our country.

“I know they don’t all get a break over Christmas, so hopefully they get some time with the people that mean the most to them and can reflect on a really good year and are excited about the year ahead.”