The agricultural and horticultural sectors are in good health, economically speaking.
Export revenue from New Zealand’s food and fibre sector is expected to reach a record $52.2 billion in the year to 30 June 2022, Primary Industries Ministers Damien O’Connor, David Parker and Stuart Nash announced today.
They were discussing the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) reports that this will be the first time New Zealand has recorded more than $50 billion in food and fibre exports, an increase of almost 10 per cent ($4.6 billion) on the previous year.
“This is a tremendous result for the sector as farmers, growers and others in the supply chains who play such a critical role in our economy,” Mr O’Connor said.
“They have continued to deliver quality products for Kiwis and overseas consumers while navigating global disruption and uncertainty.
“Our markets abroad are demanding high-quality products that are made with care, and this report indicates our exporters are responding to these market signals. To that end, the Government is investing to support farmers and growers to deliver food and fibre with low emissions and high sustainability, which will provide us economic security.”
Damien O’Connor said the SOPI, released by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), forecast significant growth across most of our food and fibre exports.
Dairy export revenue is on track to reach a record high of $21.6 billion in the year to 30 June 2022, which is a 13 per cent increase on the previous year.
Meat and wool export revenue is expected to see a healthy increase to $12.2 billion – an 18 per cent rise on 2021.
Horticulture sector revenue continues to grow and is set to hit $6.7 billion in exports, with kiwifruit and wine performing well.
Forestry Minister Stuart Nash said lower export volumes triggered by global freight congestion affected export revenue for New Zealand logs and forest products in the year to 30 June 2022.
“Exports of our logs and forest products is expected to dip slightly on the previous year, reaching $6.2 billion by 30 June 2022, a small drop of 4 per cent. However, we expect demand to pick up from next year as infrastructure projects resume and freight issues ease,” Stuart Nash said.
Read the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries here.
The report notes that workers in the food and fibre sector have qualifications from a wide range of fields of study.
Agriculture, environmental and related studies are important. This includes horticulture, forestry and fisheries studies along
with natural and physical sciences.
Other important fields of study include engineering and related technologies as well as management and commerce. Information technology also features significantly in support services.
Source: Minister of Agriculture
