Exports

A shift in sales focus towards Asia and Australia has contributed to a 3.1% increase in fruit and vegetable exports to $3.3 billion in 2011.

Southern exporters are being cautioned to plan ahead for shipping space with the likelihood major shipping lines will again not be offering unscheduled vessel visits to take pressure off peak season loads.

Volatility in the New Zealand dollar has cost exporters an estimated $6.6 billion during the past two and a-half years, according to the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Smart new forms of plywood could be used in rebuilding earthquake-damaged Christchurch, and could boost the value of New Zealand's wood exports.

Exports of sheep and beef products in the year ended June increased 9% to $5.8 billion, despite lower volumes.

The strong New Zealand dollar might be helping to keep a lid on inflation but it is costing export returns, Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills has warned.

Southern exports are unaffected by the national shortage of shipping containers, which has been further compounded by the use of thousands around Christchurch to form protective barriers.

Surging global commodity prices underpinned a quarterly increase in export and import prices, but the 0.9% gain in the terms of trade was well below expectations of around 2.%.

New Zealand's export-led recovery is in danger of stalling as the New Zealand dollar continues to appreciate against currencies of its major trading partners.

Granting consent for Port Otago to deepen and widen its channel will be in the best interests of New Zealand's export sector, Fonterra trade and operations general manager strategy Nigel Jones says.