NZ Farmers Power Economy as Primary Exports Hit Record $64 Billion
Farmers and growers are powering the economy with export revenue at record highs.
Speaking at B+LNZ's recent Out the Gate 2026 conference in Christchurch, Acland said global demand was strong and supplies were down with decreasing stock numbers in many parts of the world.
"This is a great time to be a sheep and beef farmer. After a couple of really challenging years, we are experiencing an exceptional run in terms of pricing and most of the country has had a great growing season too."
Growing Global Demand For High-Quality Protein
Acland said she has just returned from the US, where she was struck by the insatiable demand for protein driven by weight loss drugs and a food system that's been turned on its head.
"US consumers are being told to prioritise red meat and this looks set to remain, because we know that where the US goes, the rest of the world tends to follow."
She said that between 12% and 20% of the American population are on the new weight loss drugs.
"Although they're eating less in terms of quantity, they need a really high quality protein, which is something that we are so well placed to meet as a country."
Trade Agreements Opening New Export Opportunities
Acland said preferential trade agreements had been incredibly important over the last five years as markets had changed quickly and global uncertainty has become the new norm.
The recently-signed India free trade agreement opened up another "enormous" potential market for sheep meat that had been largely closed due to a 53% tariff.
Sheep And Beef Sector Driving Regional Economies
Beef+Lamb NZ would soon be releasing an independent report on the economic and social contribution of the red meat sector, which Acland said will reinforce its significant impact on the New Zealand economy.
"Without giving everything away now, I will tell you this, and it will be no surprise: Pastoral farming is the lifeblood of New Zealand's economy. When farming does well, the rest of New Zealand does well.
"Farmers are major employers and spenders and in the 25/26 season, our economic service estimates that sheep and beef farmers generated $8 billon of value on farm, which is nearly $2 billion up on the previous year.
"We know that sheep and beef farmers spend about 90% of what they earn in local communities, and that's an average of $16 million a day on goods and services, mostly in regional centres which flows through to wider New Zealand.
Climate Policy Remains Key Industry Focus
However, Beef+Lamb continued to advocate for "balance" in governmental policy settings to allow the sector to continue to play its role in driving New Zealand's economy.
Coinciding with the conference, B+LNZ released a report comparing New Zealand's climate change policies for agriculture with the rest of the world.
"What it shows is that New Zealand's current approach - not intending to price farmers for emissions or to put agriculture in the ETS - is very much in line with other countries.
"But nearly every other country that is considering emissions from agriculture is either subsidising the use of new technologies or providing incentives such as access to carbon credits, which puts New Zealand at a disadvantage."
