Mario Fernandez

Mario took on the role of principal economist at DairyNZ in 2022. He provides technical modelling and project management expertise within DairyNZ and to support partners in the sector. As an economist, Marios knows the team has succeeded when they have simplified complex problems and identified the ways farmers can benefit. 

Mario is inspired by the variety and challenge that his job provides, and the opportunities for collaboration. He thrives on collaboration with farmers and the wider industry, “it’s the best way to brainstorm and come up with the right solutions that will work for farmers”. 

Projects he has been involved in have ranged from an investigation into the productivity growth of the dairy sector (in collaboration with Dairy Australia and Teagasc) to researching the competitiveness of milk with plant-based alternatives. Other projects have included the impact of freshwater policies on farms, and the effect of the adoption of methane mitigations.

Mario is originally from Ecuador, where he gained his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, before completing a Master of Science in Environmental Economics at University College London, and a PhD in Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University.