NZ commodity prices rise in December, led by cheese, butter, milk powder

Thursday 9th January 2014

New Zealand commodity prices rose in December, led by gains in dairy products.

The ANZ Commodity Price Index advanced 1 percent to 330.4 from November, touching its second highest level on record. The index is about 22 percent above December 2012.

International prices for 10 of New Zealand's main commodities increased in the month, three fell and four were unchanged.

Cheese and butter prices led the gains, up 7 percent, with cheese at its highest in more than five years and butter lifting to a two-year high. Skim and whole milk powders showed the next largest price rises, up 3 and 2 percent respectively.

The price of logs, seafood and sawn timber increased 1 percent, while the prices of casein, beef and lamb increased by 0.5 percent or less. Wool prices fell from November's two-year high, down 12 percent, while pelts dropped 4 percent and aluminium prices eased 1 percent.

In New Zealand dollar terms, the index lifted 1.7 percent to its fourth-highest level on record.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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