Core Rural Statistics
Agricultural sector revenue is projected to increase by 24% (from $12.10 billion to $15.06 billion) over the next 5 years to the year ending March 2005. This rise mainly reflects growth from dairy, cattle, fruit and agricultural services. Other projections from MAF's 'December 2000 Situation and Outlook for NZ Agriculture and Forestry' report include:
- for the year ending March 2005, overall pastoral export earnings are expected to rise from $9.38 billion to $13.0 billion. That breaks down as: meat export earnings rising 23%; wool export earnings rising 24%; dairy earnings rising 39%; and other pastoral products rising 35%; and
- during the same time period, overall horticultural export earnings are expected to rise 27% ($1.76 billion to $2.23 billion). That breaks down as: kiwifruit earnings rising 13%; apples falling 11%; other fresh fruit rising 42%; fresh vegetables rising 14%; processed fruit rising 116% (mainly due to wine); processed vegetables remaining static; and ornamentals rising by 11%.
The main predictions for animal numbers are:
- sheep numbers are expected to drop from the 45.5 million there are now to 40.8 million in 2005;
- beef cattle numbers should increase from 4.6 million now to 4.8 million in 2005;
- dairy cattle numbers projected to increase from 3.3 million now to 5.29 million in 2005; and
- deer numbers will also increase, from 2.2 million now to 3.2 million in 2005.
These projections assume an environment of low exchange rates and low inflation rates, and moderate interest rates. The projections say agricultural exports are still affected by the Russian financial crisis. However, important markets for NZ products in Asia have recovered quicker than expected from the Asian financial crisis - which was boosting exports.
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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