Record manufacturing result

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased a record 8.3 percent in the December 2007quarter, Statistics New Zealand today.

The increase of more than $1.5 billion was dominated by the meatand dairy product manufacturing industry, up 25.8 percent, which accounted for just over three-quarters ofthe rise.

The sales increase is nearly double the previous highest increase set during the September 2000quarter, and is a record for the series which began in December 1992.

Two other industries made significant contributions to the result.

Other food manufacturing and machineryand equipment manufacturing both increased by more than 8.0 percent compared with the September 2007quarter.

With the effects of price changes removed, seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased 3.4percent. The meat and dairy product manufacturing industry dominated the volumes change, up 9.1percent.

Since the June 2003 quarter the total manufacturing sales trend has generally increased.

However, the rateof trend increase has been at its highest level in the past three quarters.

Excluding the meat and dairy product manufacturing industry, total seasonally adjusted manufacturing salesincreased 2.5 percent.

The sales trend for this sub-group has increased 16.6 percent since the June 2003quarter