Dairy industry in New Zealand - statistics & facts
The dairy sector contributes billions of dollars to the country’s economy and is one of New Zealand’s most dominant goods export sectors. The nation operates mainly pasture-based farming, with large herds and large-scale processing facilities. Research and development and robust trade relationships have helped cement New Zealand’s place in the global dairy marketplace. New Zealanders themselves are big consumers of dairy milk and products, having one of the highest domestic consumption of milk rates in the world.
New Zealand has a reputation for delivering high-quality dairy products across the world. It has created a name for itself as a world leading dairy exporter. The nation is the largest exporter of whole milk powder (WMP), with around 95 percent of the milk produced in New Zealand processed to be exported. Other important export products include butter, cheese, infant formula, and skim milk powder. China, Australia, Indonesia, and the United States were some of the country’s biggest trade partners for dairy products.
New Zealand’s dairy economy
A wide variety of dairy products are produced in New Zealand, including fluid milk, milk powders, butter, cheese, and infant formula. New Zealand has a large population of dairy cattle to produce the high volumes of milk required for these dairy products. Dairy farming provides thousands of New Zealanders and migrants with direct employment across the country, and the dairy workforce continues to grow each year. Additionally, indirect employment in the dairy sector, from construction to logistic operations, further supports the New Zealand economy.New Zealand has a reputation for delivering high-quality dairy products across the world. It has created a name for itself as a world leading dairy exporter. The nation is the largest exporter of whole milk powder (WMP), with around 95 percent of the milk produced in New Zealand processed to be exported. Other important export products include butter, cheese, infant formula, and skim milk powder. China, Australia, Indonesia, and the United States were some of the country’s biggest trade partners for dairy products.
