The value of New Zealand’s exported goods is reported to have registered a rise in the first quarter, since the December 2008 quarter, as the exports for dairy products assisted in nudging the value of exports to plus $4 billion level, for only the second time on record.

The value of total goods exported marked a climb of 10.4% in the March quarter, in contrast to the December quarter, Statistics New Zealand revealed.

Business statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver uncovered that the value of shipped milk powder, butter, and cheese witnessed a climb 29% for the quarter, marking the biggest quarterly jump for the commodity group since the December 2007 quarter.

Dairy fetched a rise of about 23% of New Zealand's $39.55 billion worth of annual exports. Also, crude oil exports registered a spectacular rise 122% touching $217 million from March 2009, as shipments grabbed a double level.

In addition, the figures posted that logs, wood, and wood articles grew 16.2% while crude oil roused 9.7%. However, fish, crustaceans and molluscs were witnessed to mark a marginal low 3.2%.

The monthly trade balance depicted the presence of surplus of $567 million or 14% of exports, cited to be the largest trade surplus for a March month since 2002.