The ANZ Commodity Price Index continued its recent run of form with world prices up a further 2.0% m/m in July. It's the third consecutive improvement with prices up 6.9% over this period. The gains have been broad-based too, which is encouraging. However, it has to be remembered this improvement is off a near seven year low registered in April.

The other challenge is the high NZD, which continues to erode any slight improvement in world prices back to New Zealand exporters. In fact, while world prices have risen by 6.9% over the last three months, NZD prices have only improved by 2.5% over the same period and remain below the same time last year (-5.7% y/y). The NZD/USD is up 7% and trade-weighted index 8% compared with last year. Many exporters have worked hard on new innovations, productivity drivers and fostering new business, but sometimes this can only take things so far.