Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $12.2bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The Meat Processing industry remains strongly export-driven despite challenges
- Although export values have dropped in recent years because of lower red meat prices, the Meat Processing industry is heavily export-focused, with exports accounting for between 80% and 90% of total revenue. Approximately 88% of beef and veal production, and nearly 95% of lamb and mutton are designated for export, according to the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Report.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Trade agreements and rising demand in Asia will drive export revenue growth
- Exports are set to climb over the next few years. Factors like trade agreements, export product diversification and enhanced production efficiencies will drive this export surge. Export compliance will be key to leveraging the opportunities presented by expanding global markets.
Biggest companies in the Meat Processing in New Zealand
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Talley's | 3,446.0 | |
Silver Fern Farms | 3,122.0 | |
Alliance | 2,430.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Beef and veal, Sheep meat and Other meats. Beef and veal is the largest segment of the Meat Processing in New Zealand.
Trends and Insights
Beef and veal exports dwindle amid low cattle availability and global competition challenges
- Beef + Lamb New Zealand has noted that approximately 88% of beef and veal production is exported, which makes meat processors particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in international markets.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Meat processors primarily slaughter animals and prepare meat products, which may include boning, freezing, preserving or packaging (excluding poultry). The industry also encompasses manufacturing meat from byproducts (excluding poultry) and rendering lard or tallow.
What's included in this industry?
Beef and vealSheep meatPorkVenisonRabbit meatGoat meatCompanies
Talley'sSilver Fern FarmsAlliancePurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
TURNOFF RATEHORMONAL GROWTH PROMOTANTSFAUX MEATIndustry Code
ANZSIC 1111 - Meat Processing in New Zealand
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The Meat Processing industry remains heavily export-oriented. Free trade agreements and increasing Asian demand for premium products like beef and lamb are poised to boost ex...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Low cattle availability and rising global competition have weighed on demand for beef and veal. In contrast, other meat segments like pork and venison are growing, driven by ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Meat processors are concentrated in regions with large livestock farming operations like Auckland and Canterbury, providing a steady animal supply. These areas also benefit f...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Price and quality are key competitive factors, as consumers often switch to inexpensive protein sources when prices rise. Known for their high quality, New Zealand meat proce...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The top four meat processors dominate the market, collectively accounting for nearly 90.0% of revenue. These major companies wield significant influence in the market.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Talley's's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Silver Fern Farms's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Alliance's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Talley's, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Silver Fern Farms, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Alliance, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Animal Products Act 1999 regulates practices within the Meat Processing industry to ensure food safety. Exporters must adhere to the Food Act 2014 and the Australia New Z...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Declining export prices and rising operational costs challenge meat processors' profitability, prompting them to pursue efficiency improvements. While automation reduces wage...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand in 2024?
The market size of the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand is $12.2bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Meat Processing in New Zealand industry in 2024?
There are 252 businesses in the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand has been declining at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Meat Processing market in New Zealand?
The biggest companies operating in the Meat Processing market in New Zealand are Talley's, Silver Fern Farms and Alliance
What does the Meat Processing in New Zealand include?
Beef and veal and Sheep meat are part of the Meat Processing industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Meat Processing in New Zealand?
The company holding the most market share in New Zealand is Talley's.
How competitive is the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Meat Processing industry in New Zealand.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
International industries
- Meat, Beef & Poultry Processing in the US
- Hot Dog & Sausage Production in the US
- Rendering & Meat Byproduct Processing in the US
- Meat, Beef & Poultry Processing in Canada
- Meat Processing in Australia
View all industries in New Zealand
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in New Zealand include:
- Statistics New Zealand
- New Zealand Company Register
- Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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