New Zealand is a world leader in farming for sheepmeat and beef production and does this without the assistance of government subsidies. Agricultural subsidies were removed in the mid-1980s leaving producers and exporters entirely reliant on export market returns.  The New Zealand economy derives $3.8 billion from meat exports, however, it also faces quota restrictions and other trade barriers in the majority of its meat markets.

In accordance with the Meat Board Act 2004, the New Zealand Meat Board has established and manages allocation systems for three country-specific Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ's) for export markets which have TRQ's to be administered by New Zealand.

New Zealand Meat Board registers meat companies to export to markets all over the world in accordance with the Meat Board Act 2004.