MPI has issued its latest Situation and Outlook report projecting the status of NZ’s primary sector through June 2025.

MPI focuses on the export value of each sector, with the total export value for the year ending June 2025 estimated at $56.9 billion, with almost half of that ($25.5 billion) generated by dairy.

Of greater relevance to HB farmers and growers, NZ-wide horticulture will reach $8.0 billion, with apples and pears hitting $1 billion for the first time (total production up 4%) and wine hitting $2.2 billion.

However, it’s not all good news.

Profit before tax for sheep and beef farmers will fall another 7% (to $45,200) on top of a 54% decline in 2023/24. Higher prices for beef and lamb will be more than offset by increasing expenditures.

And we better stay on good terms with China and Donald (Tariff) Trump!

Finally, good news for chocolate lovers. Despite unfavourable weather and crop disease in Africa, New Zealand will have a “relatively secure” supply of cocoa, given that about two-thirds of our supply comes from the Asia-Pacific region (one-third form Ghana).