New Zealand: Livestock and Products Annual

FAS/Wellington 2025 market year production forecast would be the highest annual production on record, If realized. In addition, post is forecasting that beef and veal exports in 2025 to also be the highest volume for New Zealand in a single year. This is anticipated to be driven by continued higher importer beef demand in the United States. The New Zealand national cattle herd has been decreasing year-on-year at 1 percent annually. This is anticipated to continue despite a stabilization in numbers in 2024. A primary factor contributing to the decline in recent years has been government policy impacting agriculture and land-use change. At the end of 2023, New Zealand changed its national government. The new government supported farmers strongly, removing pending policies of the previous government. low farm profitability is causing delays in repairs and maintenance, capital improvements, and innovation, forcing farm operations to take on more debt.