Maccas 'lovin' NZ produce

The company recently released its annual New Zealand shopping list, showing a record amount spent on ingredients for their menu items.

In 2022, $213 million was spent on local ingredients for New Zealand restaurants. Meanwhile, another $384 million of NZ produce was exported to other McDonald's markets. That took the total spend with NZ farmers and growers to an all-time high of $598 million - $52 million more than in 2021.

Here are some highlights:

• 6.9 million litres of fresh milk was sourced from NZ dairy farmers.
• 1.9 million kilograms of NZ cheese and other dairy products was used locally, along with 11.6 million kilograms of cheese exported.
• Over 900,000kg of NZ lettuces were used by local restaurants.
• Nearly 12 million kilograms of NZ potatoes were used to make fries.

McDonald's says it sources produce from farmers and growers across NZ. New Zealand is also a strategically important supplier to international outlets. NZ produce is exported to McDonald's markets including Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia, and the United States.

"It's great to be able to supply a local menu where around 90% of the ingredients are sourced from across NZ, and to share this quality produce with McDonald's markets around the world," says managing director NZ and Pacific Islands, Kylie Freeland.