NZ producer input, output prices drop in first quarter, driven by lower fuel prices

NZ producer input, output prices drop in first quarter, driven by lower fuel prices
Jonathan Underhill
By Jonathan Underhill May 18 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand producer input and output prices fell in the first quarter, mainly driven by lower fuel prices and weaker output prices for sheep, beef, grain and dairy farmers. Input prices fell 1 percent in the first quarter for an annual decline of 0.9 percent, while output prices declined 0.2 percent in the quarter for a 0.1 percent annual gain, Statistics New Zealand said. Input prices for petroleum and coal manufacturers have more than halved since the second quarter of 2012. In the first...