Wholesale Trade Survey: December 2004 quarter

Wholesale Trade Survey:

December 2004 quarter — 4 March 2005 Wholesale Trade Ends Year with Growth

Seasonally adjusted wholesale trade sales increased 2.2 percent in the December 2004 quarter, compared with the September 2004 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. This follows no change for September 2004 quarter and an increase of 3.5 percent for June 2004 quarter.

The sales trend in the wholesale industry continued to rise in the December 2004 quarter. This is the sixth consecutive quarter recording trend growth. Since June 2003, the trend has risen 11 percent.

Primary product food wholesaling recorded the largest increase in seasonally adjusted sales in the December 2004 quarter, up $152 million. This industry comprises dairy produce, fruit and vegetable, fish, meat, poultry and smallgoods wholesaling.

Farm and construction machinery, professional and business equipment wholesaling recorded the second largest increase, up $94 million. This industry includes computer wholesaling.

The contribution of farm and construction machinery increased this quarter. Petroleum product wholesaling also increased for the December 2004 quarter, up by $77 million. These increases were partly offset by a decrease in seasonally adjusted sales of motor vehicle wholesaling, down $39 million.

Between the end of December 2003 and the end of December 2004, the level of wholesale stocks rose by $571 million, to $8,473 million. The largest contributor to this rise was petroleum product wholesaling, up $197 million.

Geoff Bascand

Acting Government Statistician

ENDS

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