That showed the lion’s share of the country’s $17.6b dairy income went back to rural areas, DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said.
Much of 2013-14’s increase of 40% over 2012-13 was injected back into growth, farm spending, and jobs.
“Our latest survey shows the financial value that dairy farmers bring into each province, helping grow residents’ wealth even if they are not dairy farming themselves,” Mackle said.
Dairy’s boost to rural economies was consistent with the national trend.
National dairy export revenue soared by 30% to 17.6b in 2013-14, a Situation and Outlook 2014 report from the Ministry for Primary Industries said.
Dairy export revenue was expected to reach $18.4b by June 2018, based on a modest rise in domestic production, increasing international dairy prices and a depreciating NZ dollar, the MPI report said.
DairyNZ’s 2013-14 estimates showed the top provincial performer in dairying was Waikato, retaining its top spot from the previous year and earning $3.8b.
It was followed by Canterbury with $2.77b, Southland with $1.72b then Taranaki with $1.44b.
