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How farmers see the future

Rural Confidence Survey

For over fifteen years we have worked together with an independent research organisation to have access to up to date insights into what the farming community is thinking and how they respond to the ever changing conditions. To do this, we conduct a Rural Confidence Survey, interviewing an average of 450 farmers across New Zealand on a quarterly basis. Monitoring outlook and general sentiment in the country's major agricultural industries, it is one of the most robust studies of its type.

VIEW LATEST RESULTS

Latest Survey Results: September Quarter 2025

  • Farmer confidence in the broader agri economy inched higher and is now at its second highest level at any stage across the last decade.
  • Among farmers holding a positive outlook on the agri economy, ‘higher commodity prices’ (67%) was cited as the major source of optimism, while ‘increasing demand’ (20%) and ‘falling interest rates’ (17%) were other key reasons given.
  • Farmers’ expectations of their own farm business performance over the next 12 months were also marginally up from last quarter and remain strong overall. Dairy farmers and sheep and beef farmers were more positive about the prospects for their own businesses than last quarter while growers were less optimistic.
  • Farmer investment intentions were largely unchanged from last quarter and remain strong. Dairy farmers have the strongest investment intent and horticulturalists the weakest.
  • Farmer concern over the recent increase in the US tariff rate on New Zealand goods to 15% is mixed.