Research shows New Zealand’s red meat sector drives nearly $50 billion in annual spending across the economy

New research shows New Zealand’s red meat sector generates $48.7 billion in spending across the economy each year and supports one in every 20 jobs.

The sector generates $12.8 billion in export earnings annually, which flows through our economy and has a powerful multiplier effect that sees $133 million a day being spent across New Zealand.

The BERL study found the sector contributes $17.5 billion a year to New Zealand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supports 120,580 full-time equivalent jobs across the country.

More than half of that contribution happens beyond farm-gates and processing plants, flowing through supply chains, local services and household spending, particularly in rural and regional New Zealand.

Commissioned by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA), the research is the first full measure of the sector’s economic and social contribution since 2020.

“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 Chair Kate Acland says.

“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 $133 million a day flowing through the New Zealand economy.

“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.

“This is something farmer and red meat exporters can be very proud of.”

The red meat sector directly employs 48,250 full-time equivalent workers, with another 72,330 jobs supported through supply chains and household spending. Altogether, the sector supports 120,580 full-time equivalent jobs across the country – close to the population of Dunedin.

MIA Independent Chair Nathan Guy says the research found every $1 million of direct expenditure in the red meat sector supports 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 percent (10,578) are Māori and 11 percent (4,788) are Pacific people.

Proportionately, the Māori and Pacific workforce is much younger than the overall red meat sector in New Zealand. They account for 56 percent of those working in the red meat sector aged 15-29 years.

“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.

It underscores the importance of retention, skills development and progression pathways, as the sector’s long‑term capability will depend on whether younger workers remain engaged and progress within the industry over time.”

Guy says the red meat sector is determined to grow its contribution to New Zealand even further.

“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.”

B+LNZ’s ambitious vision is for the sector’s export value to grow to as much as $23 billion by 2035.

Acland says New Zealand will continue to depend on export returns from high-value sustainably produced food exports.

“The insights shared in this report will inform decision-making and help unlock further potential within the red meat sector. When the sector is doing well, New Zealand benefits – not just this season, but well into the future.

Downloads

For more details, download the full report and the two-page summary.

Additional information including regional contribution*

Economic impact of the red meat sector in New Zealand, 2025

The research also explored the impact of the red meat sector in more depth for three regions where it represents a significant share of economic activity and employment.

Taranaki-Manawatū

The Taranaki-Manawatū red meat sector generated a total of $2.5 billion in GDP in 2025 and supported a total of 19,337 FTEs. This represented eight percent of total GDP and 11 percent of total employment in Taranaki-Manawatū.

Canterbury

The Canterbury region’s red meat sector generated a total of $2.9 billion in GDP in 2025 and supported a total of 19,127 FTEs. This represented five percent of total GDP and six percent of total employment in Canterbury.

Otago-Southland

The Otago-Southland region’s red meat sector generated a total of $3.0 billion in GDP in 2025 and supported a total of 21,722 FTEs. This represented 11 percent of total GDP and 12 percent of total employment in Otago-Southland.

*Individual components may not sum to totals due to rounding. Source: BERL analysis