WELLINGTON: A jump in beef export prices and a lift in log sales overseas helped total exports rise almost 1 per cent to $12 billion in the December quarter.
The strong meat and log sales helped offset an ongoing dive in dairy exports as global prices slumped last year. Statistics NZ said the seasonally adjusted value of goods exported rose 0.9 per cent in the December 2014 quarter.Meat exports were up 15 per cent, a gain of $210 million by value. Meat volumes were up 4.6 per cent. Meat export values and quantities are hitting new highs on the back of higher beef prices,” Statistics NZ international statistics manager Jason Attewell said.
Combined with an increase in other exports, particularly logs, total exports rose despite a fall in dairy products.”Seasonally adjusted milk powder, butter, and cheese exports fell 9.5 per cent ($328m) in the December 2014 quarter. That was despite a lift in volumes by 2.6 per cent.
Dairy values have fallen 26 per cent since the peak in December 2013. The fall in recent quarters was price driven, rather than volume.Total imports were down just 0.2 per cent to $13 billion for the quarter.
