NZ terms of trade rise 5.7% in fourth quarter as dairy export prices recover, volumes fall

NZ terms of trade rise 5.7% in fourth quarter as dairy export prices recover, volumes fall
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth March 1 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand's terms of trade rose in the final three months of 2016 as the recovery in global dairy prices bolstered the value of exports even as the volume of international sales shrank.  The merchandise terms of trade, which measures the purchasing power of the country's exports, rose 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter after a 1.1 percent decline in the third quarter,  Statistics New Zealand said. Seasonally adjusted export volumes fell 5.8 percent, reflecting declines in the dairy and meat sect...