Trade
For more information contact:
Ashlin Chand
For more information contact:
Matt Conway
Introduction
Open and predictable market access is vital for the ongoing success of our export-led industry. We export over 90 percent of what we produce to around 110 different markets. In 2022, these exports reached $12 billion.
The success of the sector relies on our ability to extract the maximum value from every part of the animal. To do this, companies need as many markets open as possible in order to export to the market that provides maximum returns for a particular cut or co-product.
At the MIA, our team is focused on growing and protecting a diverse portfolio of market access opportunities in order to provide our companies with options and to support the sector’s resilience, agility and profitability.
The sector’s trade story
The sector is NZ’s largest goods exporter generating
16 percent of New Zealand export revenue
NZ’s largest manufacturing industry employing approximately 25,000 people.
90 percent of our products
exported to 110 countries.
58 percent of the red meat sector’s trade is covered by free trade agreements.
Free trade agreement network saves almost $600 million annually.
Co-products (incl. wool) make up around
20 percent of sheepmeat and beef exports, worth nearly $2 billion.
98 percent of product exported is high value chilled or frozen cuts. Frozen carcasses now make up less that 2 percent of exports.
Halal processing is a cornerstone of our sector, with around 43 percent of red meat certified as Halal, worth $4.2 billion annually.
Protecting and improving current market access
With an extensive network of trading partners, we must work to maintain and protect the access we already enjoy. The sector has market access through a range of vehicles including through the World Trade Organization (WTO), New Zealand’s networks of FTAs and access arrangements such as veterinary arrangements, mutual recognition arrangements, equivalence agreement etc.
The MIA works to protect this access, resolve trade barriers and improve existing access conditions.
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Halal
Exports of halal meat from New Zealand began in the 1970’s when the industry developed halal systems to enable export to Middle East halal markets. Halal processing has evolved to become a cornerstone of the industry’s business model of finding the best market for each part of a carcass, as it enables the industry to access Muslim countries and Muslim consumers in other markets such as Europe, North America and China. Some 45% of red meat exports are halal certified.
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Latest Trade News
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Green shoots for red meat exports with demand up in most markets
North America remained New Zealand’s largest red meat market during…
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US overtakes China as New Zealand’s largest red meat market for April
Weak Chinese demand for red meat is being offset by…
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The red meat sector welcomes United Arab Emirates trade talks
The red meat sector has welcomed the start of trade…
Barriers to International Trade
Gain an in-depth understanding of the complex and evolving trade and tariff environment that
New Zealand’s red meat processors and marketers operate in when exporting to over 110 countries.