The allocation of sheep and goat meat quota into the European union

Abstract

New Zealand sheep meats and their by- products are exported to over 100 different countries. One market stands as the single most critical to the sheep meat industry. The European Union (EU) This market takes 52% of New Zealand sheep meat by volume, but returns 63 % by value of our total sheep meat exports. Entry to the EU market is restricted. New Zealand has such a privileged position in a large market where competition from other competing countries is restricted and yet producers are not able to meet their cost of production. As this market is New Zealand's largest and most profitable, access to it by New Zealand lamb exporters/processors is rationed, so all companies have an opportunity to have a share of this higher returning market. This market share is referred to as "Quota". All meat quota into the EU is administered by the New Zealand Meat Board.