Market research

Milk 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

The physical volume of the New Zealand milk market saw a gradual contraction from 2018 to 2023, moving from 19.9 million tonnes to 19.0 million tonnes. This period was marked by relative stability in domestic production, which provided the bulk of supply, while trade flows remained a minor component of the total market volume.

In monetary terms, the market's value demonstrated a strong upward trajectory, climbing from $52.7 billion in 2018 to a high of $68.8 billion in 2022. This peak was significantly supported by robust international demand for dairy products, which elevated export values and contributed to higher overall market valuation. A subsequent correction brought the market value down to $57.4 billion in 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 milk in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand consistently ranked 9th globally in milk production.

Top producers of milk, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of milk, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Milk production in New Zealand grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 21 886 K t of milk, showing little change from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 21 786 K t. That year also saw the largest decline of 0.7%, while 2020 experienced the biggest increase of 0.4%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.7%)	0.4%	0.1%	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Milk production in New Zealand increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 71 615 M $ US, marking a significant year-over-year rise of 14.7%. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 23.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.2%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.8%	5.5%	14.7%	7.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk from New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, New Zealand exported 2 395 K t of milk, reflecting a moderate gain of 6.6% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 15.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 2.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 10.8%.

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	10.8%	(2.5%)	6.6%	4.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia formed the main cluster of markets for New Zealand's milk exports in kind. China accounted for 47.3% of exports, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 4.2% and Malaysia at 3.7%, together representing 55.2% of total flows.

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 milk exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 7 837 M $ US, showing a strong uptick of 22.2% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 42.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%.

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	13.6%	2.5%	22.2%	12.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia accounted for the largest share of New Zealand's milk exports in value terms. China represented 45.9% of exports, the United Arab Emirates 4.5%, and Malaysia 4.1%, together comprising 54.4% 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 milk to New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, milk imports into New Zealand declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 17 K t, down by 9.3% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 54.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 19 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 44.9%.

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	44.9%	17.8%	(9.3%)	15.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States led the structure of New Zealand's milk imports in kind. Australia accounted for 51.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 14.7%, and the United States for 9.7%, together representing 76.0% of total flows.

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

The market showed volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2019 at 65 M $ US and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, New Zealand imported approximately 59 M $ US of milk, which is 1.6% lower year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 7.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 86.2%.

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	86.2%	(7.9%)	(1.6%)	19.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany were the three largest markets for New Zealand's milk imports in value terms, together accounting for 65.2% of total flows.

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