Overview
Major U.S. exports to New Zealand include mowers, high-horsepower tractors (100 hp+), center-pivot irrigation systems, and other agricultural machinery. U.S. tractors are very visible in New Zealand, although most new John Deere tractors are manufactured outside the U.S.
Agrichemicals and fertilizers are essential for New Zealand farming due to naturally low phosphorus and sulfur levels in pastoral soils. New Zealand’s apple industry aims to be spray-free by 2050, and its organic sector, led by dairy, is growing annually.
Table: Agricultural Equipment Market Data, Unit USD Millions
| Year | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (Estimated) |
Total Local Production (Estimated) | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
Total Exports | 105.3 | 100 | 93 | 95 |
Total Imports | 926.5 | 700 | 500 | 450 |
Imports from the US | 112 | 77 | 50 | 45 |
Total Market Size | 926.5 | 700 | 494 | 605 |
Exchange Rates | 1.578 | 1.630 | 1.654 | 1.600 |
Unit: USD Millions
Source: Trade Policy Information System (TPIS), Office of Trade and Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce
Leading Sub-Sectors
- Energy: Climate Change
- Environmental Technology: Water Management
- ICT: Agriculture Technology
Opportunities
Mechanization upgrades remain crucial in New Zealand’s agribusiness sector, as farmers seek to boost production and reduce labor. Climate change effects are also driving demand for environmental technologies, influencing what and how much can be grown or harvested both on land and at sea. Unpredictable weather patterns suggest some years will be more productive than others, and climate change is expected to alter pest and disease patterns, creating a need for technologies to monitor insect swarms.
Water management is an essential sub-sector due to shifts in temperatures, rainfall, and climate extremes. Maintaining clean, safe water for drinking and waterways is critical for New Zealand’s international reputation and economic growth. Farmers, especially in the dairy sector, face the challenge of meeting environmental regulations and managing rising costs like energy and insurance while maintaining profitability.
Resources
The U.S. Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) in New Zealand publishes an annual “Exporter Guide” and a “Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Country Report.” FAS also publishes market briefs on many of New Zealand’s agricultural sectors. These are available at FAS’s online Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN).
Trade event: Fieldays is an annual trade event held in May or June in Hamilton, New Zealand, attracting approximately 130,000 attendees affiliated with agribusiness. Fieldays is an important platform for manufacturers/suppliers to showcase their products to the New Zealand farming community.
New Zealand Government agencies active in this sector:
- Ministry of Primary Industries
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Statistics New Zealand - Government Electronic Tenders
New Zealand private sector organizations active in this sector:
- KPMG
- Rural News Group
- Tractor and Machinery Association