New Zealand Production Statistics - March 1999 quarter
Fewer Livestock Slaughtered
The total number of livestock slaughtered in the March 1999 quarter was 4.5 per cent lower than in the March 1998
quarter. Farmers concentrated on fattening their remaining stock following the drought-breaking rain which fell over the
North Island during January. In contrast, the South Island regions of Canterbury and Otago again recorded a high number
of livestock slaughtered, down only 3.0 and 0.1 per cent respectively. The continuing drought has left pastures bare and
farmers with little choice but to destock.
Beer production fell 2.6 per cent between the March 1998 and March 1999 years. This decrease was due to an 8.2 per cent
fall in the volume of tap beer produced. Tap beer has fallen every year since 1990, coinciding with increased publicity
regarding drink driving. A move towards bottled and canned beer, as a result of recent discounting by breweries, may
also have contributed to the latest fall. Production of canned beer was up 3.6 per cent between the March 1998 and 1999
years.
The number of cigarettes available for consumption during the March 1999 year fell 5.2 per cent when compared with the
previous March year. This is the lowest recorded figure for a March year since the series began in 1974. In the May 1998
Budget the Government increased the excise tax on tobacco, with the price of a packet of 20 cigarettes rising 50 cents.
Tobacco companies increased prices further in December 1998. The Consumer Price Index reports a 14.0 per cent rise in
the price of cigarettes between the March 1998 and March 1999 quarters.
Ian Ewing
DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN
23 June 1999