Strong Exports Growth Confirmed

Tuesday, 13 February 2001, 11:00 am
Press Release: Statistics New Zealand

Overseas Merchandise Trade (Exports): December 2000

The provisional value of merchandise exports for December 2000 is $2,656 million, according to figures released today by Statistics New Zealand. This value is close to the early estimate of $2,660 million published on 29 January 2001.

The monthly exports trend has been rising continuously since January 1999 and continues to exceed the growth in the imports trend. This has resulted in the exports trend value being higher than the imports trend value. However, the imports trend excludes large import items valued at $100 million or more each, such as large aircraft and ships.

The seasonally adjusted value of merchandise exports for the December 2000 quarter is 12.1 per cent higher than in the September 2000 quarter. This follows a 3.1 per cent increase last quarter. A number of commodities made significant contributions to the increase this quarter.

Seasonally adjusted exports of non-food manufactured goods are 8.9 per cent higher in the December 2000 quarter than in the previous quarter. This follows an increase of 0.9 per cent last quarter.

The seasonally adjusted export value for milk powder, butter and cheese is 15.4 per cent higher in the December 2000 quarter than in the previous quarter. This follows an increase of 13.2 per cent last quarter.

The seasonally adjusted export value for meat and edible offal is 19.6 per cent higher in the December 2000 quarter than in the previous quarter. This follows an increase of 3.3 per cent last quarter. The seasonally adjusted quantity increased by 12.8 per cent in the December 2000 quarter.

The seasonally adjusted export value for fruit and nuts is 10.5 per cent lower in the December 2000 quarter than in the September 2000 quarter. This follows an increase of 33.0 per cent last quarter. The seasonally adjusted quantity of exported fruit decreased by 13.5 per cent in the December 2000 quarter.

Imports for December 2000 are valued at $2,714 million. The result is a trade deficit of $58 million.

Brian Pink GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN

END

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