Farm Expenses Price Index: June 2000 quarter

Farm Expenses Increase

An increase in livestock prices was the main contributing factor to the 1.5 per cent rise in the Farm Expenses Price Index for the June 2000 quarter. This has resulted in a 4.6 per cent increase for the year in the all farms inputs index, said Deputy Government Statistician Ian Ewing.

Livestock prices rose 4.3 per cent in the June 2000 quarter, with prices increasing for cattle, sheep and lambs, and deer. A shortage of stock is putting upward pressure on livestock prices. This is the fifth consecutive quarter that livestock prices have increased, however, livestock prices are below the high recorded for the March 1994 quarter.

Increases in interest rates and fuel prices also contributed significantly to the overall increase in farm expenses.

Ian Ewing Deputy Government Statistician

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