Overseas Merchandise Trade (Exports): June 2001
Exports Rise
The provisional value of merchandise exports for the month of June 2001 is $2,809 million, according to figures released
today by Statistics New Zealand. This value is $29 million more than the early estimate published on 26 July 2001. Both
the monthly exports trend and imports trend are rising after a period of little change. The trade balance trend is
showing a stable surplus.
The seasonally adjusted value of merchandise exports for the June 2001 quarter is 6.6 per cent higher than for the March
2001 quarter. This follows a 2.3 per cent fall for the March quarter, and compares with an increase of 3.3 per cent for
seasonally adjusted imports for the June 2001 quarter. Dairy products and meat accounted for more than 90 per cent of
the June quarter increase in export values.
The seasonally adjusted exports value of milk powder, butter and cheese is 18.2 per cent higher in the June 2001 quarter
than the March 2001 quarter, while the quantity is 10.0 per cent higher. The value of seasonally adjusted exports of
meat and edible offal is 15.9 per cent higher in the June 2001 quarter than the March 2001 quarter, while the quantity
increased by 11.5 per cent.
Imports for the June 2001 month are valued at $2,670 million, which gives a trade surplus of $139 million. There have
been trade surpluses in 8 of the 10 previous June months, with deficits being recorded in June 1999 and June 2000.
For the year ended June 2001, the merchandise exports value is $31,916 million, an increase of 22.6 per cent from the
previous June year.The merchandise trade balance for the year is a deficit of $22 million, the smallest June year
deficit since the $1,358 million surplus of 1994.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
END