New Zealand’s beef exports in the first quarter of 2025 rose 1.3% year-on-year (YoY) to 134,240 metric tons, according to the latest data from Stats NZ. Stronger volumes to key markets including the United States, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom supported the quarterly gain. Exports to China and Japan pulled back, but total shipments still edged up by 1,781 mt.
In the first quarter of 2025, the US cemented its position as New Zealand’s top beef market, taking 62,017 mt or 46.2% of total exports. Shipments rose 27.9% YoY, (+13,521 mt) amid tightening domestic supply.
China, once the leading destination, now accounted for a quarter of its trade. Volumes plunged 30.7% YoY, shedding 15,559 mt to 35,058 mt, weighed down by poor demand and an influx of low-cost South American beef, Urner Barry reported.
Canada took in 7,944 mt, soaring 64.2% or 3,106 mt from the previous year, as shrinking US availability redirected trade flows to New Zealand and Australia. The UK also emerged as a key growth market, snapping up 2,070 mt, more than double year-ago levels as supply tightness persisted.
Japan remained under pressure, with exports slipping 11.0% YoY to 7,492 mt, while Korea continued to gain ground, climbing 36.9% to 4,907 mt and claiming a 3.7% market share.
