The export of cattle hides more than doubled during October. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
An increasing number of luxury Italian leather products such as gloves, handbags and upholstery for Ferraris are starting their journey on New Zealand farms.
The Meat Industry Association said exports of cattle hides to Italy in October increased by 110 percent compared to the same month last year.
Italians were also eating more New Zealand lamb - buying nearly $4,500,000 of meat compared to virtually none at the same time last year.
The Meat Industry Association's chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the exports to Italy were worth $26m - the highest monthly value for more than four years.
Karapeeva said skins and pelts have been in high demand as they were good quality, and Italy was the home of high end products made from leather.
She put the increase down to pent up demand - with factories back up and running after Covid-19 lockdowns. She said there might be back-up orders which would be a positive for farmers.
All exports of red meat goods were worth $175m in October - that was a 12 percent increase compared to October 2021.