Dairy export values are continuing to rise with a 25 per cent increase on last year as meat export values continue to fall.

Statistics New Zealand figures released today show milk powder, butter and cheese export values rose by 25 per cent in January 2012, compared with January 2011, while meat export values fell 13 per cent.

Industry and labour statistics manager Neil Kelly says the trend for dairy exports increased strongly since August 2011, while meat exports have been falling since July 2011.

In January 2011 total export values increased $430million compared with January 2011, while imports also rose, up $637million due to petroleum products and large aircraft imports.

Trend values for exports remain at record high levels, up 27 per cent from its low point in September 2009, but still 5.1 per cent below its overall peak in September 2008.

In January 2012, there was a trade deficit of $199 million, or 5.3 per cent of the exports value.

Excluding the one-off importation of aircraft, there would have been a small trade surplus of $14million.