Spokesperson for Trade
Mark Patterson

Spokesperson for Primary Industry
26 April 2019

New Zealand First Deputy Leader Fletcher Tabuteau and Spokesperson for Trade is very pleased to see the statistics released today that the value of total goods exports rose $899 million (19 percent) from March 2018 to hit a record high of $5.7 billion in March 2019.

“This is fantastic news for New Zealanders. We’ve seen a steady increase in exports during our term in government and we look forward to this upward trend of our primary exports with revenue forecast to grow 6.9% on the previous financial year,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.

“This record export month is another indicator of our strong and stable economic performance. Our economy, and in particular the regions, are well supported through coalition government initiatives such as the Provincial Growth Fund and the Research and Development tax credit,” Mr Tabuteau said.

While the rise in exports was driven by higher exports of dairy, meat, and forestry products, it was dairy exports that led the rise with a $264 million increase to 1.4 billion in March 2019. This is thanks to the success of milk powder up $226 million on a year earlier.

“To those that underestimate the value of Dairy, this month’s success highlights the importance of this industries contribution to our economic success. When New Zealand dairy farmers and our primary industry do well, all New Zealanders benefit,” said New Zealand First spokesperson for Primary Industry Mark Patterson.

“The growth of Milk powder exports was due to an increase in quantity but also a 6.5% increase in unit values. New Zealand First is a vocal advocate of value adding initiatives before products go overseas, we have to adjust and move away from being too reliant on the export of raw materials,” Mr Patterson said.

ENDS

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