New Zealand Primary Sector Forecast to Reach $70 Billion by 2030
Against all the odds, the primary sector has turned in a stellar performance with export returns for 2026 hitting $64.3 billion - up 6% on the previous year.
Agriculture is high on his agenda as new Trade Minister Todd McClay attends the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
The three-day meeting, which started yesterday, is McClay's first duty as Trade Minister, a portfolio change which took effect on Monday.
"Key issues for trade and development will be in the spotlight at Nairobi, including in the important area of agriculture," McClay says.
"WTO Members will be trying to agree a package of measures from the Doha Round agenda, which has been stalled since 2008.
"While no negotiation with more than 160 participants could be described as easy, we hope that all players come to the table prepared to play their best hand.
"As well as negotiations on new market access and improved multilateral trade rules, the WTO works to ensure that hard-won market access is preserved and existing WTO rules are complied with.
"While New Zealand has been successful in securing a network of high quality free trade agreements, we believe that FTAs should complement and contribute to the WTO system.
"When it comes to trade issues, global solutions are the most effective ones."
McClay is having a range of bilateral meetings in Nairobi.
The WTO Ministerial Conferences take place every two years.
A central Canterbury business which turns malting barley into a key ingredient in beer making has celebrated its 100% New Zealand-grown status with a special event.
A farm shed solution to a long-standing safety problem has captured the public’s vote in the Fieldays Innovation Awards with AWS, with Waikato dairy farmer Warren Storey’s invention The PostMate, winning the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards People’s Choice Award, supported by KingSt. Advertising.
OPINION: The latest update from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the state of NZ's primary sector paints a positive picturee about its performance over the past 12 months.
The recently signed free trade agreement with India is an invitation to strengthen relationships between the New Zealand and Indian strong wool industries, says Wool Impact chief executive Andy Caughey.
Strengthening the voice of vegetable growers on "big ticket items" will be the immediate focus of newly formed New Zealand Vegetable Council (NZVeg), says inaugural chair Alison Stewart.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the red meat sector is doing an excellent job promoting our pasture-fed system around the globe.