Its all about ag exports
OPINION: The Public Service in New Zealand between 2017 and 2023 grew rapidly from 48,000 to over 64,000, and this does not include the use of consultants.
Dairy export volumes rose 32% but prices were down 13% in the September 2012 quarter, says Statistics New Zealand.
"Dairy export volumes are at record levels, after adjusting for seasonal effects," Statistics NZ prices manager Chris Pike says. "Dairy values remain at high levels, even though export prices have fallen for five consecutive quarters."
Dairy products made the largest contribution to a 9.7% rise in seasonally adjusted export volumes. Meat export volumes rose 15%. Import volumes rose 0.7% led by intermediate and capital goods.
Export prices fell 6.3%, led by dairy prices (down 13%), while import prices fell 3.3%, led by a fall in petroleum and petroleum product prices (down 13%).
In the September 2012 quarter, the terms of trade fell 3.2%. A fall in the terms of trade means that fewer imports can be funded by the same quantity of exported goods. The terms of trade are 9.1% lower than a year ago.
The price and volume indexes for exports and imports of goods are compiled mainly from overseas merchandise trade data.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.