Oxbury Enters New Zealand Agri-Finance Market with Specialized Livestock Solutions

The company traces its origins to the United Kingdom and has adopted a phased approach to its New Zealand operations, commencing business in December before now accelerating its market presence.

Oxbury’s initial focus is on financing livestock for finishing cattle and sheep, as well as supporting farmers seeking additional capital stock investments.

Rupert Thomson, Oxbury’s senior relationship manager, notes the entry into New Zealand’s $60 billion+ agri finance market aligns with rising livestock value shares in farm purchases or expansions.

“That value is higher than ever, driven by protein demand and livestock supply dynamics,” Thomson remarks.

“For us, the timing feels strategic. Paying $2,400 per head for bulls or steers over six-to-12 months requires significant capital, and poor execution can lead to minimal returns despite high outlays,” he explains.

Thomson highlights Oxbury’s role in offering tailored financing to farmers increasingly specializing in their trading operations.

“Farmers aren’t switching between stock classes for minor profits anymore,” he adds.

The NZ team includes experts with agri-finance experience across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.

Symon Brewis-Weston, executive chair, emphasizes Oxbury’s strategy to master one agri-finance area before expanding.

“We’re prioritizing a seamless customer experience. Over recent months, we’ve quietly refined processes to ensure we meet expectations,” he states.

Brewis-Weston notes evolving farmer-banker dynamics, with farmers often encountering less direct interaction with bank managers.

“Our model is intentionally simple, centered on farmer needs,” he says.

Oxbury employs 400 UK staff, many with agricultural backgrounds, maintaining an old-fashioned approach by visiting farms directly.

He stresses that individual farmer financing needs are frequently overlooked by larger banks’ standardized rural finance strategies.

In the UK, Oxbury claims to handle one in five new farm loans, ranking as the UK’s third fastest-growing company. The bank has lent over £1.5bn and attracted £2.5bn in savings since 2021.

Initially targeting sheep and beef, Oxbury plans to expand into dairy financing later, though Thomson doesn’t foresee a near-term surge in supply.

“Cash flow remains critical. While some minor supply increases may occur, wholesale growth isn’t expected,” he adds. “Meanwhile, rising farm costs underscore why current protein prices are favorable.”

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