The volume of meat and dairy product manufacturing fell in the March 2017 quarter, although sales values rose due to higher prices, Stats NZ said today.

After adjusting for seasonal effects and removing price changes, meat and dairy product manufacturing volumes fell 7.8 percent.

"The fall in meat and dairy sales volumes followed a similar fall in the previous quarter," business indicators manager Craig Liken said. "In contrast, sales values were up $77 million, mainly reflecting a rise in dairy product prices."

Overseas Trade Indexes reported export dairy volumes fell 11 percent in the March 2017 quarter, while meat export volumes rose 3.2 percent.