Wellington: New Zealand's food and fiber exports are projected to hit a record 62 billion NZ dollars (about 35.89 billion U.S. dollars) by June 2026, driven by strong global demand for dairy, meat, fruit, and forestry products, a government report revealed Tuesday. The forecast represents a 3 percent increase from this year's 60.4 billion NZ dollars and a 16 percent rise compared to two years ago.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report anticipates that New Zealand's food and fiber exports will exceed 63 billion NZ dollars by June 30, 2027. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay noted the result is significant, especially given the challenging global conditions and extreme weather that have impacted producers.

Currently, food and fiber products constitute 83 percent of New Zealand's goods exports, underscoring their critical role in the country's economy, McClay added.