New Zealand red meat exports hit $1b in December, driven by strong global demand. Photo / Meat Industry Association
New Zealand red meat exports hit $1b in December, driven by strong global demand. Photo / Meat Industry Association
New Zealand’s red meat exports finished 2024 on a positive note, with total export value increasing 17% from last December to reach $1.04 billion, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
“The strong end to the year is a positive sign for the industry,” she said.
“This reflects a continued recovery in global demand and the resilience of New Zealand’s red meat sector.”
China remained the largest market for the month, with exports steady at $313 million year-on-year, while other major markets showed significant growth.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the strong end to the year was a positive sign for the industry. Photo / Melissa Waite
While the recovery in late 2024 was encouraging, challenging market conditions earlier in the year contributed to an overall 3% decline in total annual exports, which reached $9.86b.
The United States was the largest market for the year, with exports increasing 12% to $2.77b.
China remained the second-largest market, though exports declined 31% to $2.49b.
However, there was strong growth in the UK (up 46% to $525m), Japan (up 23% to $475m), and Canada (up 44% to $424m).
Total sheepmeat exports declined 3% in both volume and value, amounting to 373,682 tonnes and $3.61b.
The drop was largely driven by lower exports to China.
In contrast, the US saw record exports of 34,588 tonnes worth $625m, while exports to the UK rose 41% in volume and 44% in value to 42,183 tonnes and $417m – the highest volume since 2018 and highest value since 2020.
The EU also saw an 11% increase in volume to 59,268 tonnes, with value rising 8% to $927m.
Beef exports for the year declined 5% in volume to 481,657 tonnes, but the value remained steady at $4.39b.
Strong demand in key markets offset lower exports to China, with US exports increasing 2% by volume to 183,084 tonnes and 16% by value to $1.85b.
Japan saw a 33% volume increase to 32,590 tonnes and a 41% rise in value to $324m, while Canada’s exports grew 59% by volume to 28,364 tonnes and 70% by value to $259m.
The NZ-UK Free Trade Agreement continued to show its value, with beef exports to the UK reaching 4417 tonnes worth $57m making it the ninth-largest market by volume and eighth-largest by value.
