Red meat sector aims to grow export value to $23b by 2035

Monday, 8 June 2026

The red meat sector presently contributes $17.5 billion a year to GDP.

New Zealand’s red meat sector is hoping to grow its export earnings from $12.8 billion annually to $23 billion by 2035.

The ambitious goal was revealed as new research, commissioned by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA), showed the sector generated $48.7b in spending across the economy each year and contributed $17.5b a year to Gross Domestic Product.

The Business and Economic Research (BERL) report said the sector employed 120,580 full-time equivalent jobs across the country.

Across the Taranaki-Manawatū region, the sector generated a total of $2.5b in GDP in 2025 and supported 19,337 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, while in Canterbury $2.9b was generated with 19,127 FTEs employed.

In Southland-Otago the contribution was even greater, with a total of $3 billion in GDP supporting a total of 21,722 FTEs.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairperson Kate Acland.

“This research confirms the red meat sector is an economic powerhouse for New Zealand, making a vital contribution to jobs, communities and the wider economy well beyond the farm gate,” B+LNZ chairperson Kate Acland said.

“On average, our farmers and processors spend $64 million a day in communities and industries across New Zealand.

“When indirect impacts are included, that rises to $133m a day flowing through the New Zealand economy.

Meat Industry Association independent chairperson Nathan Guy says in spite of geopolitical risks demand remains strong.

“That spending supports thousands of businesses and the jobs they provide, and helps underpin the tax revenue and economic stability that benefits the whole country.”

Acland said the insights in the BERL report would inform decision-making and help unlock further potential within the red meat sector - including its ambitious $23b export goal.

MIA independent chairperson Nathan Guy said the sector was determined to grow its contribution to New Zealand.

“Despite the high degree of uncertainty we face over geopolitical risks like the conflict in the Middle East, there is strong demand for the natural high-quality protein our sector produces.

“New Zealand farmers and exporters are experts at delivering what our global customers want.”

He said the BERL research found every $1 million of direct expenditure in the sector supported around five jobs across the wider economy in 2025.

“Māori and Pacific people form an important part of the sector’s workforce.

Of the 42,000 individuals directly employed in New Zealand’s red meat sector, 25% (10,578) are Māori and 11% (4,788) are Pacific people, Guy said.

“This highlights the central role Māori and Pacific people play in the future employment of the red meat sector, particularly in processing and early‑career roles.”