New Zealand red meat exports end 2024 on a high

New Zealand’s red meat exports finished 2024 on a positive note, with total export value increasing 17 per cent from last December to reach $1.04 billion, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

“The strong end to the year is a positive sign for the industry, with December marking only the second month in 2024 where exports exceeded $1 billion,” says MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva.

“This reflects a continued recovery in global demand and the resilience of New Zealand’s red meat sector.”

China remained the largest market for the month, with exports steady at $313 million year on year, while other major markets showed significant growth.

Exports to the US surged 38 per cent to $310 million, while the UK saw a 53 per cent increase to $64 million, and Canada experienced growth of 116 per cent to $46 million.

Despite a three per cent decline in sheepmeat export volume to 37,215 tonnes, the value rose 22 per cent to $378 million, driven by strong demand in key markets. Exports to China fell seven per cent by volume to 20,364 tonnes, yet their value increased by 21 per cent to $135 million.

Beef exports saw a slight decline in volume, down one per cent to 50,098 tonnes, but value grew by 22 per cent to $511 million.

North America was a standout market, with US exports up 13 per cent by volume to 20,600 tonnes and 48 per cent by value to $232 million. Exports to Canada saw even stronger growth, up 167 per cent by volume to 3,141 tonnes and 201 per cent by value to $33 million.

Fifth quarter exports for the month were down seven per cent to $155 million.

Annual performance

While the recovery in late 2024 was encouraging, challenging market conditions earlier in the year contributed to an overall three per cent decline in total annual exports, which reached $9.86 billion.

The United States was the largest market for the year, with exports increasing 12 per cent to $2.77 billion. China remained the second-largest market, though exports declined 31 per cent to $2.49 billion. However, there was strong growth in the UK (up 46 per cent to $525 million), Japan (up 23 per cent to $475 million), and Canada (up 44 per cent to $424 million).

Total sheepmeat exports declined three per cent in both volume and value, amounting to 373,682 tonnes and $3.61 billion.

The drop was largely driven by lower exports to China. In contrast, the US saw record exports of 34,588 tonnes worth $625 million, while exports to the UK rose 41 per cent in volume and 44 per cent in value to 42,183 tonnes and $417 million—the highest volume since 2018 and highest value since 2020. The EU also saw an 11 per cent increase in volume to 59,268 tonnes, with value rising eight per cent to $927 million.

Beef exports for the year declined five per cent in volume to 481,657 tonnes, but the value remained steady at $4.39 billion.

Strong demand in key markets offset lower exports to China, with US exports increasing two per cent by volume to 183,084 tonnes and 16 per cent by value to $1.85 billion. Japan saw a 33 per cent volume increase to 32,590 tonnes and a 41 per cent rise in value to $324 million, while Canada’s exports grew 59 per cent by volume to 28,364 tonnes and 70 per cent by value to $259 million.

The NZ-UK Free Trade Agreement continued to show its value, with beef exports to the UK reaching 4,417 tonnes worth $57 million, making it the ninth-largest market by volume and eighth-largest by value.

A key trend was the recovery in chilled meat exports. Chilled sheepmeat exports rose seven per cent to 38,249 tonnes, with value also up seven per cent to $664 million. Chilled beef exports increased by 12 per cent to 37,763 tonnes, while value surged 20 per cent to $641 million.

Fifth quarter exports declined by three per cent for the year to $1.87 billion. The top categories were edible offals ($345 million), casings and tripe ($328 million), and blood products ($271 million).

Ms Karapeeva says the strong finish to 2024 and growing demand in key markets are promising signs for the industry heading into 2025.

“The resilience of New Zealand’s red meat sector, along with strategic market diversification, has helped us navigate global challenges. The increase in chilled exports also highlights ongoing consumer demand for high-quality New Zealand meat.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Leigh Coleman-Shaw
0278470100
leigh.coleman-shaw@mia.co.nz