According to figures released by Stats NZ, the United States was the second largest export destination for New Zealand goods in 2024, with a total value of NZD 9.0 billion.
New Zealand's exports to the US surpassed nine billion dollars for the first time in 2024, with the US receiving 12 percent of New Zealand’s total exports by value.
By comparison, in December 2014, the US received 9.4 percent of New Zealand’s total goods export value.
“Although the US is our second largest export partner, New Zealand ranks outside the top 50 countries from which the US purchases goods,” said Stats NZ international accounts spokesperson Viki Ward.
“Over the past decade, the value of exports to the US has nearly doubled. This is driven by US purchases of New Zealand meat, which now comprise 3.7 percent of our total exports.”
US preference for New Zealand meat was predominantly chilled and frozen beef at NZD 1.8 billion in trade value, with sheep meat lower at 626 million in value.
“The quantity of meat exports to the US increased by 6.2 percent in 2024, with the largest change a 26 percent increase in sheep meat exports.”
Dairy exports were the next largest component, with the US receiving NZD 883 million worth of milk powder, butter, and cheese in 2024. It also received NZD 338 million worth of casein exports (casein is extracted from milk).
The proportion of butter and milk components in New Zealand’s dairy exports to the US was higher than in other major destinations like China, which tend to buy more milk powder.
Other significant exports to the US in 2024 were NZD 702 million of wine and NZD 687 million of mechanical machinery and equipment. This category included products such as agricultural machinery (for example, harvesting machines and grading or sorting machines for fruits), engines, and machine tools.
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