Dairy Exports Drive New Zealand Economy with $28.8 Billion in Revenue

New Zealand's dairy sector is a significant contributor to the country's economy, according to a recent analysis by Sense Partners. The report, commissioned by DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ), found that dairy exports reached $28.8bn in the year to December 2025, making it New Zealand's largest goods-export category.

The sector directly supports more than 51,000 jobs nationwide, with regional contributions varying considerably. In West Coast, for example, dairy accounts for 12.1% of GDP, while in South Taranaki one in four jobs is connected to dairy.

Sense Partners estimated that dairy-related GDP was $2.807bn in Waikato and $1.967bn in Canterbury, among other regions. The report also highlights the sector's links with industries outside farming and processing, including transport, manufacturing, professional services, technology, and rural contracting.