Non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in New Zealand contracted from 2 111 t in 2018 to 1 798 t in 2023. This decline was not uniform, with a sharp fall to 1 785 t in 2020, a partial recovery to 1 860 t by 2022, and a subsequent drop in 2023.

The significant reduction in market volume in 2020 coincided with the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Amendment Regulations and a High Court ruling that declared existing standards for farrowing crates unlawful, ordering their phase-out. These regulatory changes increased compliance burdens and altered production practices, likely restraining supply. By 2023, the market faced pressure from shifting consumer preferences, as growing health consciousness and a trend towards low-fat diets reduced demand for pig fat products.

Through the full period to 2025, the regulatory landscape continued to evolve with the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2025 imposing stricter welfare standards for pigs, while new food labeling rules also came into force. These factors, alongside enduring consumer trends favoring leaner meats, defined the operating environment for producers in the latter part of the decade.

Production non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, 2018-2021

New Zealand's production of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1 628 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production fell by 5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.7%.

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

Exports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Cook Islands served as the primary destination for New Zealand's exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, consistently accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2018–2021 period, the Cook Islands completely dominated New Zealand's exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in value terms, capturing 100.0% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat to New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, New Zealand's imports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat saw an increase in volume. In 2021, imports reached 162.1 tonnes, up 11.7% from the previous year. However, over the broader span from 2018 to 2021, import volumes dropped by 59.2%, averaging an annual decrease of 25.8%. The lowest point was in 2020, with imports at 145.1 tonnes, and the sharpest decline occurred that same year, at 60.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Australia, Finland, and Sweden were the key suppliers of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat to New Zealand. Australia contributed 45.4% of imports in volume, Finland 29.6%, and Sweden 13.1%. Together, these three countries made up 88.1% of New Zealand's total imports in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, New Zealand imported approximately 292.6 thousand US dollars worth of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, showing a strong increase of 19.3% compared to 2020. Despite this recent uptick, imports from 2018 to 2021 overall fell by 20.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 245.2 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 372.4 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2020, with a 34.2% decrease.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland, Australia, and Sweden led the import structure in value terms for non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat into New Zealand. Finland accounted for 37.7% of the import value, Australia for 30.9%, and Sweden for 18.6%. Combined, these three nations represented 87.2% of the total import value.

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

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