Outline of New Zealand Dairy Industry
New Zealand has a dairy herd of 3.85 million predominantly Friesian cows. Milked by over 12,000 dairy farmers, they produce over fourteen billion litres of milk annually. New Zealand has a small domestic dairy market with 95 percent of all milk produced being exported. Dairying is New Zealand's largest industry and represents over 20%
of New Zealand exports. As such, it is a significant employer and contributor to much of the wealth that underpins New Zealand's standard of living.
New Zealand's dairy farmers have taken advantage of good natural growing conditions to develop a world-leading pasture-based dairy industry.
New Zealand is roughly the same size as Japan or California but has only a fraction of their populations (4 million). New Zealand is made up of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island . Dairy farming is concentrated in the North Island of New Zealand but there has been significant growth in milk production from the South Island in recent years.
New Zealand has a very temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation. Average rainfall is high at between 640mm and 1500mm per year and this allows pasture to grow readily, eliminating harsh environments that can hinder growth of flora and young animals. Cows are usually kept outside all year round.
The New Zealand Dairy Industry was deregulated in 2001. At the same time a merger between the New Zealand Dairy Board, New Zealand Dairy Group and Kiwi Co-operatives formed Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, New Zealand's largest company. Fonterra is a significant player in international dairy markets - supplying 140 countries around the world. There are also several independent dairy companies operating in New Zealand including Westland Milk Products, Tatua Co-operative Dairy Co Ltd, New Zealand Dairy Foods Ltd and Open Country Cheese Company Ltd.
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