Agriculture employs 5.5% of the work force but accounts for only a small portion of GDP. Half of the country’s land area consists of pasture land for sheep and cattle.

Consumers are making healthier food choices at home, eating more vegetables and less meat, as well as demanding healthier take-away meals.

New Zealand’s climate allows the production of a wide range of fruit crops such as kiwifruit, apples and avocados. Production is export focused. Other fruit crops such as berryfruit, citrus and summerfruit are grown mainly to supply the domestic market.