Wool, greasy production in New Zealand
In 2024 New Zealand produced 124,951 t of wool, greasy, the 3rd largest in the world (7.37% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 18%. The record was 380,700 t in 1981.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 124,951 t
- World rank
- 3 of 69
- 10-year change
- −18%
- Record
- 380,700 t
- 1981
Wool, greasy in New Zealand, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
New Zealand compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 7.4%
- 7.5% in 2014
- kg per person
- 24.0
- world 0.21
- 10-year change
- −18%
- world −16%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 364,481 | 21.5% |
| 2 | Australia | 281,000 | 16.6% |
| 3 | New Zealand | 124,951 | 7.4% |
| 4 | Turkey | 84,270 | 5.0% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 68,520 | 4.0% |
Map of world production of wool, greasy
Share of the world total; New Zealand is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 124,951 | −4.7% |
| 2023 | 131,182 | −4.1% |
| 2022 | 136,837 | −3.7% |
| 2021 | 142,083 | −3.3% |
| 2020 | 146,884 | −0.2% |
| 2019 | 147,224 | −0.8% |
| 2018 | 148,467 | −1.5% |
| 2017 | 150,680 | −1.7% |
| 2016 | 153,253 | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 147,731 | −3.1% |
| 2014 | 152,480 | −4.4% |
| 2013 | 159,548 | −3.3% |
| 2012 | 165,000 | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 163,700 | −7.1% |
| 2010 | 176,300 | −5.1% |
| 2009 | 185,800 | +18% |
| 2008 | 157,500 | −28% |
| 2007 | 217,900 | −3.0% |
| 2006 | 224,700 | +4.3% |
| 2005 | 215,500 | −1.0% |
| 2004 | 217,700 | −5.2% |
| 2003 | 229,600 | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 228,300 | −3.5% |
| 2001 | 236,661 | −8.0% |
| 2000 | 257,200 | +2.1% |
| 1999 | 252,000 | −5.2% |
| 1998 | 265,800 | −3.3% |
| 1997 | 274,800 | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 268,800 | −6.9% |
| 1995 | 288,600 | +1.6% |
| 1994 | 284,000 | +11% |
| 1993 | 255,500 | −14% |
| 1992 | 296,000 | −3.0% |
| 1991 | 305,300 | −1.2% |
| 1990 | 309,000 | −9.4% |
| 1989 | 341,000 | −1.4% |
| 1988 | 346,000 | −1.1% |
| 1987 | 350,000 | −2.1% |
| 1986 | 357,600 | −4.2% |
| 1985 | 373,400 | +2.7% |
| 1984 | 363,600 | −2.0% |
| 1983 | 371,000 | +2.2% |
| 1982 | 363,000 | −4.6% |
| 1981 | 380,700 | +6.6% |
| 1980 | 357,000 | +11% |
| 1979 | 320,600 | +3.2% |
| 1978 | 310,804 | +2.7% |
| 1977 | 302,535 | −3.0% |
| 1976 | 311,760 | +6.0% |
| 1975 | 294,100 | +3.3% |
| 1974 | 284,800 | −7.8% |
| 1973 | 308,800 | −4.1% |
| 1972 | 322,000 | −3.6% |
| 1971 | 334,000 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 333,900 | +0.6% |
| 1969 | 331,800 | +0.5% |
| 1968 | 330,300 | +2.6% |
| 1967 | 321,800 | +2.1% |
| 1966 | 315,200 | 0.0% |
| 1965 | 315,200 | +11% |
| 1964 | 282,700 | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 279,800 | −0.6% |
| 1962 | 281,500 | +5.7% |
| 1961 | 266,300 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 34,741 t USD 122 m
- Exporter rank
- 3 of 69
- Imports
- 6 t USD 68,000
- Importer rank
- 43 of 58
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of wool, greasy in New Zealand?
New Zealand produced 124,951 t in 2024, 7.4% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does New Zealand rank in the world for production of wool, greasy?
New Zealand ranked 3rd of 69 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 21.5% of the world total.
How has the production of wool, greasy in New Zealand changed?
It fell by 18% between 2014 and 2024, compared with −16% for the world. The record was 380,700 t in 1981.
Does New Zealand export or import shorn wool, greasy, including fleece-washed shorn wool?
In 2024 New Zealand reported exports of 34,741 t (USD 122 m) and imports of 6 t (USD 68,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for New Zealand is estimated by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.