New Zealand's exports of red meat and fifth-quarter co-products were worth NZ$867 million in August, 23% more than a year earlier, as higher returns lifted earnings in every major market, Farmers Weekly NZ reports from Meat Industry Association (MIA) figures.

Beef exports rose 26% in value to NZ$403 million. The United States stayed the largest market at NZ$155 million, up 30%, followed by China at NZ$79 million, up 12%, while Canada rose 55% to NZ$18 million. Sheepmeat earned NZ$309 million, up 20%: China rose 46% to NZ$71 million and the United Kingdom more than doubled, up 118% to NZ$54 million, becoming the third-largest sheepmeat market for the month. Fifth-quarter exports were worth NZ$156 million, up 13%.

"A 23% lift in export value is a strong result," MIA chief executive Nick Beeby said. Volumes also rose, but value moved more. He cautioned that one month should be seen in context, given global volatility and cost-of-living pressures that may push some consumers to cheaper proteins.

The August figures build on the 2025-26 financial year to 30 June, when red meat and co-product exports reached a record NZ$13.1 billion, 21% up on the year before. Beeby said the sector has raised revenue from a smaller livestock base through higher prices, premium cuts and a shift to processed products: about 97% of exports are now chilled or frozen cuts, and frozen carcasses only 3%.

The data were released as the annual Red Meat Sector conference met in Wellington this week.

Photo: Geoff McKay / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Source: Farmers Weekly NZ