Market research

Beef and buffalo meat market in New Zealand

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the New Zealand beef and buffalo meat market expanded in volume from 243 thousand tons to 264 thousand tons, while its value grew from 1 199 million US dollars to 1 344 million US dollars, supported by consistent production levels.

From 2021 onward, domestic market volume contracted, falling to 240 thousand tons by 2023. This decline occurred alongside strong export demand to markets like China and the United States, which diverted supply abroad and reduced local availability. Concurrently, labor shortages in processing facilities constrained output, and a shift in consumer preferences—particularly among younger demographics toward plant-based diets—dampened domestic demand for red meat.

Looking ahead, factors such as the potential impact of US tariffs on New Zealand beef exports and ongoing supply-chain labor shortages presented continued challenges for the sector, influencing its trajectory beyond 2023.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in New Zealand
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from New Zealand, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from New Zealand, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to New Zealand, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to New Zealand, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production beef and buffalo meat in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand ranked 19th globally in beef and buffalo meat production volume.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Beef and buffalo meat production in New Zealand grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 754.5 K t, marking a 3.8% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 12.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.0%	1.9%	3.8%	3.9%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

New Zealand's beef and buffalo meat production value increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 4 279 M $ US, reflecting a significant 15.8% year-over-year gain. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 29.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.3%	0.3%	15.8%	8.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports beef and buffalo meat from New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat exports from New Zealand expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2021, New Zealand exported 505.3 K t, up 7.7% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 16.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.6%	2.0%	7.7%	5.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—China, the United States, and Japan—accounted for 77.4% of New Zealand's total beef and buffalo meat exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

New Zealand's beef and buffalo meat export value rose for the third straight year. In 2021, exports totaled 2 866 M $ US, showing a strong 20.2% year-over-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 33.7%, with an annualized rate of 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.9%	0.4%	20.2%	10.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, China (36.4% of export value), the United States (33.6%), and Japan (5.8%) formed the core of New Zealand's beef and buffalo meat exports by value, together representing 75.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports beef and buffalo meat to New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat imports to New Zealand fell for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volume was 5.1 K t, down 25.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 18.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 7.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 20.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	20.8%	(10.4%)	(25.0%)	(6.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Australia and the United States were the primary sources for beef and buffalo meat imports to New Zealand, together making up 88.7% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat import value to New Zealand declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 31 M $ US, a robust 13.3% drop from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, import value fell by 4.6%, with an average annual decrease of 1.6%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 38 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.5%	(7.2%)	(13.3%)	(1.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Australia was the leading market for beef and buffalo meat imports to New Zealand by value, holding an 87.1% share of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among various other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io