New Zealand's regional economies earned about $14.3 billion from dairy farms in 2013-2014, taking the lion's share of national dairy earnings, industry group DairyNZ said.
In total, the New Zealand economy was estimated to have earned $17.6 billion from dairy exports that year, the farmer-funded group said.
Chief executive Tim Mackle said DairyNZ's economic survey showed the sector contributed about 31 per cent more than in the previous year and put much of those earnings back into growth, farm spending and jobs.
"Our latest survey shows the financial value that dairy farmers bring into each province, helping grow residents' wealth even if they are not dairy farming themselves," Mackle said in the report.
Dairy's boost to rural economies was consistent with the national trend. National dairy export revenue soared by 30 per cent to $17.6 billion in 2013-14, said a recent Situation and Outlook 2014 report from the Ministry of Primary Industries.
