New Zealand’s beef supply is expected to lift modestly this year, supported by strong pricing signals and improved confidence across finishing systems, Rabobank predicts.
Rabobank senior animal proteins analyst Jen Corkran said beef production was low in New Zealand last year.
The nearly 674,000 tonnes last year was New Zealand’s smallest annual output since 2017, largely due to fewer dairy-origin calves reared in 2023 and reduced dairy cow culling, as a strong early-season milk price held cow numbers steady.
The beef production dynamic was shifting as an estimated 150,000 more dairy-beef calves were reared last year, increasing the pool of rising 1-year-old cattle coming through.
"We’re expecting slaughter numbers will rise by around 3% in 2026, increasing total production output."
