Manufacturing sales ease in September quarter

New Zealand's manufacturing sales decreased in the three months to September, with meat and dairy and other food manufacturing sales leading the way lower.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales decreased by 1.4 per cent over the quarter or 2.4 per cent with the effect of price changes removed, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Meat and dairy product manufacturing sales were down 7 per cent to $313 million over the period, while other food product sales were down 6.6 per cent to $118 million.

Seven of 15 industries recorded decreases in sales over the period. Machinery and equipment manufacturing recorded the biggest increase, rising 7.1 per cent to $117m.

The value of finished goods stocks as at September 30 was $36m higher than on the same day last year at $5.813 billion.

- NZPA