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Agriculture๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ New Zealand

New Zealand Fibre Crop Production

Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications.

New Zealand Fibre Crop ProductionThousand Tonnes ยท 2015โ€“2024

4.143.93.82015: 3.912016: 4.022017: 3.912018: 3.872019: 3.842020: 3.80Trough2021: 4.032022: 4.052023: 4.08Peak2024: 4.0520152017201920212024
Source: Our World in DataLast updated: July 2026

What New Zealand Fibre Crop Production shows

New Zealand Fibre Crop Production was 4.05 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.7% on 2023. New Zealandโ€™s fibre crop production indicator measures the annual agricultural output of crops cultivated for natural fibre extraction and industrial use. The indicator represents production volumes of fibre crops used in applications such as textiles, agricultural materials, specialty fibre products, and other industrial purposes.

Trend

Higher over the period

New Zealand Fibre Crop Production moved from 3.91 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 4.05 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+3.6%), an average of +0.4% a year. The series high was 4.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 3.80 Thousand Tonnes in 2020.

Volatility

A 6.8% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2020) is 0.279 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +6% in 2021.

Structure

Ranks 7 of 17 countries covered

Among the 17 countries in this dataset, New Zealand ranks 7 for 2024, behind Brazil (102.6 Thousand Tonnes) and Vietnam (96.42 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.6% of the global total in 2024.

Full series

New Zealand Fibre Crop Production by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

New Zealand Fibre Crop Production, 2015โ€“2024, Thousand Tonnes.
YearThousand TonnesChange vs prior year
2024 4.05 โˆ’0.7%
2023Peak 4.08 +0.8%
2022 4.05 +0.5%
2021 4.03 +6%
2020 Trough3.80 โˆ’0.9%
2019 3.84 โˆ’0.9%
2018 3.87 โˆ’1%
2017 3.91 โˆ’2.6%
2016 4.02 +2.6%
2015 3.91 โ€”

Regional context

How New Zealand compares across countries

Fibre Crop Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. New Zealand is highlighted.

1Brazil
102.6
2Vietnam
96.42
3Canada
26.87
4Ethiopia
21.98
5Tanzania
8.03
6Madagascar
6.53
7New Zealand
4.05
8Cambodia
3.97

Data definition

Inclusions and exclusions

Fibre Crop Production โ€” Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.

Inclusions

The indicator includes the production volume of agricultural fibre crops grown for commercial, industrial, and domestic fibre extraction purposes. It covers harvested quantities of natural fibre crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and other similar crops classified under fibre crop production. The data includes production from both large-scale commercial farming and smallholder agricultural systems, capturing annual output changes, cultivation patterns, and regional variations in fibre crop supply.

Exclusions

The indicator excludes synthetic fibres derived from petrochemical or industrial processes, processed textile products, yarns, fabrics, and other manufactured fibre-based goods. It does not include fibre crops grown solely for non-fibre purposes, agricultural residues, waste materials, or secondary fibre recovery from recycled sources. The data also excludes downstream processing activities such as spinning, weaving, textile manufacturing, and trade activities, focusing only on primary agricultural production of fibre crops.

About this indicator

Fibre Crop Production โ€” Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.

It provides information on New Zealandโ€™s agricultural contribution to natural fibre availability and sustainable fibre resources.

Between 2015 and 2024, New Zealandโ€™s fibre crop production showed gradual growth, reflecting developments in agricultural practices, land utilization, and demand for natural fibre materials. Compared with major fibre-producing countries, New Zealand has a smaller fibre crop sector due to its focus on livestock, dairy, and other agricultural activities. However, production continues to contribute to niche fibre markets and sustainable agricultural practices.

The indicator includes harvested production quantities of fibre crops cultivated for commercial and industrial fibre extraction. It covers production from agricultural farms and specialized cultivation systems, capturing annual output changes and production patterns. The data provides insights into New Zealandโ€™s role in natural fibre production and resource utilization.

The indicator excludes synthetic fibres, manufactured textile products, processed fibres, yarns, fabrics, and downstream industrial activities. It also excludes recycled fibres, waste materials, and agricultural residues not directly produced as fibre crops. Activities such as textile manufacturing, processing, and trade are outside the scope of this measurement.

By focusing on primary agricultural fibre crop production, this indicator helps assess New Zealandโ€™s contribution to renewable fibre supply, agricultural diversification, and sustainable resource management.

Indicator
Fibre Crop Production
Country
New Zealand
Region
Oceania
Unit
Thousand Tonnes
Coverage
2015โ€“2024, annual
Category
Agriculture
Last updated
July 2026
Source
Our World in Data

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Frequently asked questions

What is New Zealand Fibre Crop Production?

Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.

What was New Zealand Fibre Crop Production in 2024?

New Zealand Fibre Crop Production was 4.05 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.7% on 2023.

How has New Zealand Fibre Crop Production changed between 2015 and 2024?

New Zealand Fibre Crop Production moved from 3.91 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 4.05 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+3.6%), an average of +0.4% a year. The series high was 4.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 3.80 Thousand Tonnes in 2020.

Which year had the highest and lowest New Zealand Fibre Crop Production?

The highest value was 4.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 3.80 Thousand Tonnes in 2020.

What does the New Zealand Fibre Crop Production data include and exclude?

Included: The indicator includes the production volume of agricultural fibre crops grown for commercial, industrial, and domestic fibre extraction purposes. It covers harvested quantities of natural fibre crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and other similar crops classified under fibre crop production. The data includes production from both large-scale commercial farming and smallholder agricultural systems, capturing annual output changes, cultivation patterns, and regional variations in fibre crop supply. Excluded: The indicator excludes synthetic fibres derived from petrochemical or industrial processes, processed textile products, yarns, fabrics, and other manufactured fibre-based goods. It does not include fibre crops grown solely for non-fibre purposes, agricultural residues, waste materials, or secondary fibre recovery from recycled sources. The data also excludes downstream processing activities such as spinning, weaving, textile manufacturing, and trade activities, focusing only on primary agricultural production of fibre crops.

Where does the New Zealand Fibre Crop Production data come from?

The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&country=USA~DEU~GBR~ZAF%3BhideControls&Food=Fibre+crops&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false). It covers 2015โ€“2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.

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