A rise of 9.9% in dairy prices last month sent the ANZ commodity price index to record levels while also indicating growing demand for our exports.
The index, which measures changes in price for a basket of commodity exports, rose 4.9% for the month to 235.2 on the back of price increases for 10 of the 13 products it monitors.
ANZ Bank economist Steve Edwards said such a "synchronised lift" in a large number of products had occurred only five times since the series began in 1986.
The last time was in May 2006.
In April last year the index was 153.7 and in April 2008 it was 217.7.
While dairy prices led last month's increase, the price of skins and wood pulp both reached 18-month highs following increases of 10% and 7.7% respectively.
Other products to record increases were aluminium 4.6%, beef 4%, logs 3.4%, sawn timber 2.1%, seafood 1.7%, wool 1.2% and sheepmeat 0.2%.
When measured in New Zealand dollar terms, Mr Edwards said the strengthening currency had only a modest impact relative to the price increases. The New Zealand dollar index rose 3.8% to 172.8, also a record.
A year ago, the index was 140.2 and in April 2008 it was 151.8
