Manufacturing volumes flatten while sales rise

Embargoed until 10:45am – 16 June 2008

Manufacturing volumes flatten while sales rise

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales volumes were relatively flat, up 0.2 percent, during the March 2008 quarter Statistics New Zealand said today. However, if the meat and dairy product manufacturing industry were excluded, volumes decreased 1.4 percent.

The meat and dairy product manufacturing industry seasonally adjusted sales volumes rose 5.0 percent ($181 million) during the March 2008 quarter. Offsetting this were decreases in wood product manufacturing down 4.7 percent ($48 million), furniture and other manufacturing down 11.0 percent ($46 million), and transport equipment manufacturing which fell 6.3 percent ($36 million).

In comparison, seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased 3.7 percent, reflecting the contribution of increased prices. The result is the third largest increase since the series began, and was dominated by the meat and dairy product manufacturing industry, which rose 13.0 percent. This follows the record 26.2 percent rise in the December 2007 quarter. If this industry is excluded however, seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales recorded a slight decrease, down 0.1 percent.

The total manufacturing sales trend continues to record general increases, however it has been stronger in the past year, up 12.8 percent, due to the influence of the meat and dairy product manufacturing industry.

Dallas Welch (Mrs)
Acting Government Statistician
16 June 2008

ENDS

© Scoop Media