The primary sector's going gangbusters, with a billion-dollar monthly trade surplus - for the first time in five years

Stats NZ data reveals it sat on 1.4 billion dollars in April, compared with a 12 million dollar deficit for the same time last year.

The dairy sector's been the big winner.

Federated Farmers Dairy Chairperson Richard McIntyre says a lot of dairy farmers have smiles on their faces.

He says they're proud of their contribution to the economy, and the wider standard of living they help Kiwis generate.