Dairy Moves Exports Up

25 May 2006

Dairy Moves Exports Up

Exports of merchandise goods for the month of April 2006 are $225 million (8.0 percent) higher than in April 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. A $209 million rise in the value of milk powder, butter and cheese is the main contributor to this increase.

This rise means that milk powder, butter and cheese makes up 19.6 percent of all exports in the April 2006 month. Imports of merchandise goods for April 2006 are $67 million (2.3 percent) higher compared with April 2005.

Miscellaneous metal products; aircraft and parts; and mechanical machinery and equipment are the main contributors to this increase. A decrease in the value of vehicles, parts and accessories partly offsets these increases.

The monthly trade balance for April 2006 is a surplus of $19 million (0.6 percent of exports). Despite April deficits over the last three years, the figure for 2006 is close to the April average for the past decade: a surplus of $18 million (0.8 percent of exports).

Monthly trend values show exports increasing more rapidly than imports, resulting in a narrowing trade gap since the end of 2005.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

ENDS

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