Northland's Farming Industry Tops Billion-Dollar Mark
Northland has its first billion-dollar industry - pastoral farming. Agriculture is Northland's biggest industry sector and now brings just over $1 billion a year into the regional economy, according to new figures released by Enterprise Northland, based on data from Meat & Wool NZ. There are more than 4600 farming and farming-related businesses in Northland, representing the largest single grouping of business people in the region.
The new figures also highlight the productivity gains achieved by Northland farmers over the past 15 years. Since 1990, Northland's pasture area has decreased in size by almost a quarter. Sheep and beef cattle numbers have also dropped sharply, while the size of the region's dairy herd has increased only slightly. However, over the same period, farming revenue has increased by 137 percent. The higher revenue is not only attributable to improved market prices, but also to farmers increasing productivity through applying past research.
The Enterprise Northland site is: http://www.enterprisenorthland.co.nz/ |
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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