New Zealand’s meat exporters have now experienced their first month under Donald Trump’s tariffs and seem to have come through with minimal impact. This remark comes in response to the recent publication of April’s red meat export statistics by the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
However, it is premature to draw definite conclusions at this point.
According to MIA, red meat sales to the US declined month-on-month in both volume and value, but the association attributes this decrease to seasonal fluctuations rather than the impact of tariffs.
Compared to the same month last year, sales to the US soared, generating $344 million in revenue for April.
Although this amount represents a decline from the $398.2 million earned in March, the monthly drop is tempered by the fact that March 2025 set a global record for the highest sales in any month ever recorded.
“We’re still determining the full impact of the decision to impose a tariff on exports to the US,” MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said.
While the tariff impact is still unclear, the MIA is pleased with the overall global sales levels.
The red meat sector earned $1.21 billion in the month, marking a 34% increase year-on-year. Growth was observed across nearly all major markets. Following the US, the largest markets were China, with sales of $253 million (up 9%); the UK, at $81 million (up 56%); the Netherlands, at $60 million (up 96%); and Germany, at $54 million (up 160%).
“This is great news for the New Zealand economy, especially for those rural and regional communities across the country that rely on the meat processing and exporting sector,” Karapeeva said.
“There is a strong demand for red meat globally.”