Tuesday, 25 November 2025 09:55

McDonald’s NZ spends $235m on local farmers in 2024

Written by Staff Reporters

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McDonald’s spent $235 million on domestic produce in 2024.

Feeding more than 1.5 million people a week takes more than quick service, it takes the ongoing work of New Zealand farmers and producers, according to McDonalds.

The fast-food trader’s annual New Zealand shopping list is out, offering a look at just how much local produce goes into the menu.

With 90% of ingredients sourced locally, McDonald’s spent $235 million on domestic produce in 2024, while a further $287 million of Kiwi ingredients was exported to McDonald’s restaurants around the world.

The company bought more than 6.5 million litres of milk, sourced from dairy farmers from all around NZ through Fonterra. Over 1,051 tonnes of cheese and other dairy products were produced by Fonterra for local restaurants.

“There are so many New Zealanders who come together to bring our menu to life,” says Kylie Freeland, managing director NZ and Pacific Islands.

“Our favourites are served in minutes, but each ingredient reflects months, even years, of local growing, farming, and careful preparation. It’s a story of dedication and collaboration long before the food reaches the tray.”

Kiwi produce is so good that Macca’s also exported over $287 million worth of local ingredients to McDonald’s markets worldwide. This included 265,600kg of cheese.

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