Top New Zealand exports of 2025: Your guide to profitable global sales

New Zealand’s export landscape is showing strong growth, signalling a positive trajectory for local businesses looking to tap into international markets. Recent data from Stats NZ indicates that from January 2024, the value of New Zealand export goods surged by a significant $1.4 billion, reaching $6.2 billion in January 2025. This 28 per cent increase, notably driven by strong performances in dairy, meat, wood, and wine, underscores the strong global demand for the country’s exports.¹

This positive momentum fosters an optimistic outlook and signals considerable opportunities for New Zealand exporters looking to broaden their international footprint. To assist these enterprises in realizing their international aspirations, we have developed a guide that examines the evolving global demand within five of New Zealand's main export sectors. 

This resource will provide valuable insights as you explore avenues to successfully penetrate international markets and further solidify New Zealand's esteemed reputation for quality on the global stage.

1. Dairy produce and animal products

New Zealand's standing as a global leader in the dairy export and animal product sectors is firmly established. According to MFAT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) estimates, the nation is the world's top dairy product exporter and the world’s 2nd in dairy and wool exports. Beyond its main dairy exports, products like premium cheeses and distinctive honeys, notably Manuka honey, have also witnessed increasing global appetite in recent years, further diversifying the country’s export products.

A cornerstone of this success lies in New Zealand's unwavering commitment to sustainability and ethical farming practices. Stringent environmental regulations mandate that farmers minimize their impact on the land and waterways while simultaneously prioritizing animal welfare and the preservation of biodiversity. This dedication to responsible practices not only underpins the quality of the country’s export goods but also resonates with increasingly environmentally conscious global consumers.

With the dairy industry’s established global preeminence, driven by sustainable practices and a commitment to quality, the industry will likely continue its growth trajectory, and dairy export businesses and other animal product exporters can confidently aim to break into the industry across international markets.

Tips for exporters

• Comply with NZ legislation and food standards: Ensure your dairy exports and other animal products adhere strictly to all relevant New Zealand laws and food safety regulations. This builds trust and ensures market access.²
• Check destination requirements for dairy exports: Thoroughly investigate and meet the specific import regulations and standards of your target markets, as requirements can vary significantly between countries. ²
• Register as an animal product exporter: Formal registration is often a prerequisite for exporting animal products from New Zealand. Ensure you complete this process through the appropriate authorities.²
• Register for e-cert, if needed: The electronic certification system (e-cert) may be required for certain dairy exports and other animal products, depending on the destination market. Check if this is necessary for your target countries.²
• Apply for dairy export cert, if needed: Obtain the necessary export certifications specific to dairy export for your intended markets. These certificates verify that the product comes from New Zealand, guaranteeing its quality and safety.²

2. Meat and edible meat offal

The export meat sector stands as another crucial pillar of New Zealand's international trade. Renowned for its premium beef, succulent lamb, and high-quality venison, the industry's success is deeply rooted in sustainable and ethical farming practices. Techniques such as rotational grazing, pasture-based farming, and biodiversity enhancement are commonplace, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship. Furthermore, the export meat industry maintains strict adherence to rigorous quality and safety standards, consistently meeting and often exceeding the highest international benchmarks.

With increasing demand emanating from both established and burgeoning markets worldwide, the future outlook for New Zealand's exported meat industry remains promising. As global consumers increasingly prioritise high-quality and ethically sourced meat products, New Zealand businesses are ideally situated to leverage these evolving preferences.

Tips for exporters

• Meet NZ requirements for meat exports: Ensure your export meat products fully comply with all relevant New Zealand regulations and standards governing meat exports. This is fundamental for maintaining market access and credibility.³
• Check destination requirements for meat exports: As these requirements can vary significantly across different countries, ensure you research and adhere to the specific import regulations and standards of your intended export markets.³
• Register as an animal product exporter: Formal registration as an animal product exporter with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is a necessary step for engaging in the export of meat in New Zealand.³
• Apply for meat export cert, if needed: Similarly, obtaining meat export certifications for your export products may be necessary for your chosen market. These certifications typically confirm New Zealand’s high standards of quality and safety, facilitating smoother entry into international markets.³

3. Wood and articles of wood

New Zealand's extensive forests, managed through sustainable forestry practices, provide a consistent supply of premium wood and lumber products for both local use and international distribution in markets such as China, Australia, the United States, and Japan. This includes a diverse range of materials such as timber, logs, pulp, paper, and wood-based panels, which find application across various sectors, including construction, furniture manufacturing, and packaging. 

The forestry and wood products sector is a fundamental pillar of New Zealand's export economy, significantly contributing to the nation's GDP and providing substantial employment. Data from Stats NZ in January 2024 indicated that the export value of logs, wood, and wood articles alone reached an estimated NZ$15 million, marking a 5.4% increase compared to January 2023.

Further bolstering its reputation, New Zealand has implemented robust certification schemes like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). These initiatives provide independent, third-party assurance to global consumers regarding the sustainability of New Zealand’s wood export practices and products, reinforcing the country’s strong and growing presence in the international market.

Tips for exporters

• Further cultivate and promote sustainable practices: Emphasise the unique qualities of New Zealand timber to maintain a competitive edge in the global market.⁴
• Focus on legal harvest assurance: Ensure strict compliance with all relevant regulations, particularly concerning the harvesting of indigenous wood, to guarantee legality and sustainability.⁴
• Meet importing country phytosanitary requirements and obtain import permits (if needed): Thoroughly research and adhere to the specific phytosanitary regulations of your target export markets. Secure any necessary import permits to facilitate entry.⁴
• Obtain a phytosanitary certificate if needed: Depending on the destination country, a phytosanitary certificate may be required to verify that your wood export products are free from pests and diseases. Ensure you obtain this documentation if necessary.⁴

4. Wines

New Zealand's wine industry is another source of national pride and a significant contributor to its exports. The country's unique terroir, characterized by its diverse climate, fertile soils, and varied terrain, provides an exceptional foundation for producing a wide array of distinctive, high-quality wines that resonate with consumers worldwide. In particular, New Zealand has earned global acclaim for its exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, elegant Pinot Noir, and refined Chardonnay varietals. This reputation for crafting some of the world's finest wines has been solidified by the industry's strong emphasis on innovation, unwavering commitment to sustainability, and a deep understanding of terroir-driven winemaking. 

Consequently, fueled by increasing demand from key international markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and China, the wine export sector has experienced consistent growth, presenting a burgeoning opportunity for exporting wine from New Zealand in both established and emerging markets.

Tips for exporters

• Meet NZ requirements for grape wine: Ensure full compliance with New Zealand regulations for grape wine, including precise labeling requirements, any additional criteria for organic wines, and meticulous record-keeping practices.⁵
• Check destination requirements for NZ grape wine exports: Research and adhere to the specific import regulations for New Zealand grape wine in your target markets. For exporters looking to break into the European or Brazilian market, be particularly aware of the need for Official Assurances for wine exports.⁵
• Get MPI trade certification: Obtain the necessary trade certifications from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to facilitate the smooth export of your wine.⁵

5. Fruits, nuts, and peel of citrus fruits or melons

New Zealand's unique combination of a favourable temperate climate and nutrient-rich soils provides ideal conditions for cultivating a diverse range of high-quality horticultural crops, allowing for year-round production. This natural advantage has spurred significant diversity and innovation within the country's horticultural exports sector, leading to a wide array of fruits, nuts, and citrus products being shipped to international markets worldwide. Renowned for their superior quality, exceptional freshness, and intense flavor, key exports in this category include the iconic kiwifruit, crisp apples, creamy avocados, succulent berries, and various nuts.

The increasing global demand for New Zealand's premium fruits and nuts has been significantly driven by recent trends such as heightened consumer awareness of health and wellness, evolving dietary preferences, and a growing preference for natural, sustainably, and ethically sourced goods. To meet the rising international demand, domestic research efforts are focused on enhancing crop yields, improving product quality, and developing new and exciting varieties. These advancements not only strengthen the ability of local companies to cater to international markets but also meet domestic needs effectively.

Consequently, as the global appetite for fresh, high-quality produce continues to expand, this growing market presents significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters to capitalize on.

Tips for exporters

• Check New Zealand food safety requirements: Ensure your fruits, nuts, and citrus products meet all relevant New Zealand food safety standards to guarantee consumer confidence and market access.⁶
• Check and meet importing country’s phytosanitary requirements: To prevent delays and ensure compliance, thoroughly research the specific phytosanitary regulations of your intended export markets. Strict adherence to your destination market's phytosanitary requirements is also crucial for your produce to be permitted entry.⁶
• Apply for a phytosanitary certificate, if needed: This official document certifying that your exported produce is free from harmful pests and diseases and meets the importing country's plant health requirements may be required by your destination market. Ensure you obtain the necessary documentation from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to ensure your shipment complies with international regulations and avoids potential delays or rejection.⁶
• Check wood packaging requirements: If using wood packaging, ensure it meets the international standards (ISPM 15) to prevent the spread of pests and comply with import regulations.⁶

Expand confidently into global markets with DHL Express

The increase in global demand for New Zealand's key products presents significant opportunities for local businesses to thrive in lucrative overseas markets. However, to fully capitalize on this potential and successfully expand your business internationally, securing the right international logistics partner is paramount.

With its extensive global network and profound expertise in global shipping, DHL Express stands as a trusted ally for New Zealand exporters navigating the intricacies of global trade. Our comprehensive suite of solutions, including express export service, expert customs guidance, and the innovative MyDHL+ platform, empowers you to streamline your international operations effortlessly, ensuring seamless and reliable shipping worldwide.

Ready to unlock new avenues for growth in the global marketplace? Open a DHL Express business account today and discover how our tailored solutions can support your international ambitions.