Browse Data and Analysis

Since reaching peak numbers in 2016, the New Zealand national cattle herd has been gradually declining, and this is expected to continue in 2024.

After two straight years of reaching record levels, New Zealand beef production and exports are expected to fall slightly in 2022. This decline is a result of expected reduced steer and heifer slaughter, as calf retentions in 2019 boosted last year’s slaughter number. As the size of New Zealand’s cattle herd is relatively steady, slaughter numbers are expected to return to more typical levels this year.