Producer output prices rose 1.4 percent in the March 2017 quarter, while input prices rose 0.8 percent, Stats NZ said today.

In the March quarter, producer output prices were influenced by higher prices received for dairy products, while higher crude oil prices pushed up the input costs at oil refineries.

In the year to the March 2017 quarter, producer output prices increased 4.1 percent, and input prices increased 4.2 percent.

"The prices paid by fuel manufacturers were up 43 percent in the year, mainly due to higher crude oil prices," business prices manager Sarah Williams said. In March 2016, the prices fuel manufacturers paid were at the lowest level since the June 2003 quarter. This industry produces refined fuels that are used by many other industries.