Food for thought

The mid and South Canterbury market benefits from the region's strong primary sector

Since the region was settled in the 1850s, agriculture has been the cornerstone of mid and south Canterbury's economy. Considered to be the food basket of New Zealand, the region has been built on its strong primary sector. Agriculture is diverse, including dairy, sheep and deer farming, forestry, and cropping operations; half of New Zealand’s grain seed and fodder crop land is in Canterbury.

Timaru has the largest cold storage capacity of any port in New Zealand and boasts the second largest fishing fleet in the country. Light manufacturing industries associated with the export and import trade process pack and distribute meat, dairy and other agricultural products. Combined, these industries are responsible for the region's consistent economic growth.

Ashburton market softens

Ashburton District in mid Canterbury is about an hour's drive south of Christchurch and extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps, and from the Rangitata River to the Rakaia River, and includes the towns of Methven, Mount Somers, and Rakaia. Ashburton town has a population of about 19,850, with the region as a whole having 33,200, and it is one of the fastest growing rural districts in New Zealand.