Surging dairy exports to China have pushed the annual trade balance into surplus for the first time in nearly two years.

New Zealand posted its third straight trade surplus in January, as sales of dairy products drove record exports to China.

There's no room for shoddy and cheap Chinese exports anymore, says a visiting Chinese trade boss.

Infant formula exporters are on edge before an audit of local manufacturing facilities by Chinese officials next month.

Strong demand for New Zealand's main commodity exports has prompted the Ministry for Primary Industry to revise up its revenue forecast by $4.9 billion to $36.5 billion.

Forecasts for exports of dairy products, meat and forestry have been raised by the Ministry for Primary Industries citing growing demand and limited supplies.

Dairy product prices recorded their biggest drop since early November in the latest global auction, with the volume sold falling to an eight-month low.

Westpac has revised up its NZ growth forecast for 2014 to 4.2% and expects the Kiwi dollar to remain high against the US and Aussie dollars.

Australian supermarkets are dropping New Zealand-made products even if an alternative cannot be sourced locally, producers say, as concerns increase about whether the patriotic shut-out on foreign goods could expand to more product lines.

NZ Trade Ministry spokesman says access for agricultural products to customs union is key sticking point.

News that China may have become the world's largest trading nation had an air of inevitability about it, writes Stephen Jacobi. Yet even as we learn to ride the Chinese wave, we need to keep our options open.

Herald business editor Liam Dann says the new Fonterra recall needs to be kept in perspective - but the world is watching the dairy giant much more closely now.

The export of logs to China is driving an increase in the value of NZ's forestry products - now worth more than $4.5 billion a year.

New Zealand's iron sand exports could soar to almost 10 million tonnes a year by 2016, as Australia's BlueScope Steel adds shipping capacity at its Taharoa site and Trans-Tasman Resources remains hopeful of approval for its offshore mining venture.

New Zealand reported its first trade surplus for the month of November in 22 years as rising dairy exports into China made it the country's biggest trading partner.

The New Zealand wine industry has continued its turnaround in 2013, posting a record grape harvest and improved profitably for wineries.

Unemployment is tipped to fall and wages rise as consumer confidence hits a four-year high.

British shoppers have noticed that their favourite Anchor butter tastes different - with the explanation being it's no longer from New Zealand.