Lockwood Smith: Red Meat Needs More Product Research
With the red meat sector going through a boom time with high prices, the time is right for the industry to step up its investment into developing new food products.
Sheepmeat exports were worth $309m, 20% more than in August last year.
China increased 46% to $71m, while the United Kingdom rose 118% to $54m and became the third-largest sheepmeat market by value for the month.
Beef exports increased 26% in value to $403m. The US remained the leading market at $155m, up 30% while China rose 12% to $79m and Canada increased 55% to $18m. Fifth-quarter exports were worth $156m, an increase of 13%.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Nick Beeby said the result underlined the value the sector continues to generate for New Zealand.
"A 23% lift in export value is a strong result. Export volumes have also increased compared with August last year, but the more significant movement is in value, reflecting improved returns from international markets.
“The breadth of the result is encouraging, with export values higher across all major markets and gains for both sheepmeat and beef in China.”
However, Beeby says one month’s data should be viewed in context, given the global volatility and costof- living pressures that may push some consumers towards lower-value proteins.
The August result builds on the returns for the 2025/26 financial year (year ending 30 June), where red meat and fifth quarter exports were worth $13.1 billion. This was 21% higher than in 2024/25 and a record annual export value.
