Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay hosted a Lamb barbecue to mark National Lamb Day for farmers, industry representatives, MPs, and media at Parliament.
Agriculture has been the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, with sheep and beef farmers alone contributing over NZD 10 billion in exports last year. This is equal to NZD 3,300 in income for every Kiwi household.
The sector was crucial to the government’s goal of doubling exports by value in ten years. It also supported 76,000 jobs across New Zealand and led the way in sustainable farming.
“As we celebrate National Lamb Day, parliament honours the legacy of early sector pioneers and acknowledges the hard work and resilience of our farmers, processors, and exporters -- your dedication ensures that New Zealand's red meat sector remains world-leading and ready to grow,” said McClay.
The government’s agricultural team, which includes Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson, and Associate Minister of Agriculture Nicola Grigg, has been laser-focused on reducing costs and returning more value to the farm gate.
Farmers have faced a tough time over the last few years with significant weather events and challenging commodity prices. However, as farmer confidence rises, there have been some signs of green shoots ahead.
These included a lift in sheepmeat prices over recent months, with December lamb prices exceeding the five-year average, record-high cattle prices, and rising demand from key red meat markets.
“Kiwi farmers are the best in the world, and we are committed to supporting a future where New Zealand lamb continues to be celebrated and enjoyed on tables worldwide.”
Looking ahead, the government has been focused on new growth opportunities for lamb and red meat, particularly in the Middle East. The recent trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will eliminate 99 percent of all tariffs over time.
