Government Unlocks Export Growth Opportunities For New Zealand Dairy Businesses

The Government of New Zealand has made a significant stride in expanding the value of the country's dairy exports with the recent passage of a key bill in Parliament. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that the Dairy Industry Restructuring (Export Licences Allocation) Amendment Bill has successfully passed its third reading. This legislative change aims to upd ate New Zealand's dairy export quota framework, opening up new growth avenues and enhancing farmgate returns.

New Zealand is currently managing dairy export quotas for several key markets, including the Dominican Republic, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. According to Mr. McClay, "The Bill introduces vital changes to better support businesses of all sizes, and it shifts quota allocation from the proportion of milk solids a company collects from farmers to a system based on export performance."

This reform not only ensures fairer access across the industry but also includes quotas for sheep, goat, and deer milk processors, unlocking novel export opportunities and revenue streams. Mr. McClay emphasized that the bill supports the Government’s ambitious goal of doubling New Zealand’s export value within the next decade. The commencement date for this legislation is se t for May 1, 2025.