Trade Policy

With around 90 percent of beef and 95 percent of sheepmeat exported, market access is crucial to our sector’s profitability.  

We do this by maintaining and protecting current market access, improving this access, and unlocking new market potential.   

The Trade Team works closely with counterparts at the Meat Industry Association and the New Zealand Government, primarily the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry for Primary Industries, to protect hard‑won market access and ensure it is not eroded through changing regulations, trade barriers, or external pressures. We provide expert knowledge to support negotiations and outcomes that secure the maximum possible benefit for the sheep and beef industry.   

We have in-market representatives in the UK/EU and the US.  

The red meat sector is New Zealand’s second largest goods exporter.  

• More than 90% of sheep and beef production is exported to more than 120 countries.  
• Around 90% of the sector’s trade is covered by a preferential trade agreement of some kind, including Free Trade Agreements.  
• Red meat exports, including co-products, is worth approximately $12billion annually. 
• Around 70% of export revenues flow through to farmers.  

International environment   

The Trade Policy Team also works to ensure that sheep and beef farmers views are heard at international environment negotiations such as the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) and advocates for farmers views on international environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity.   

International relations   

We actively engage with international partners, including through the International Meat Secretariat, the World Farmers’ Organisation, the Global Sheep Forum, and the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, to share knowledge and research, collaborate on shared challenges, and advocate on issues of common importance to farmers worldwide.