Farmer confidence since 2009

An interesting chart from Federated Farmers showing their members’ confidence in their economic conditions.

So around 2010 confidence went positive. From 2012 to 2017 it fluctuated up and down. In 2018 it dropped to -34% and stayed low but then in 2021 it plummeted to -80% which is about as negative as you can imagine. This is what happens when you try and regulate a sector to death.

The change of government saw a massive boost in confidence. However it is now only +6% indicating that future conditions are still pretty uncertain. I suspect much of this is Trump’s 15% tariffs on NZ exports.