Overseas Merchandise Trade (Imports): November 2001
The provisional value of merchandise imports for November 2001 is $3,041 million, according to latest figures released
by Statistics New Zealand. The imports trend shows little change for the latest month, following falls for the previous
four months.
Seasonally adjusted consumption goods rose 0.3 per cent in the November 2001 month, following a rise of 4.0 per cent in
the October 2001 month. Crude oil import prices and quantities have fallen again in the November 2001 month. Excluding
crude oil, seasonally adjusted intermediate goods (goods imported for further processing) decreased 2.5 per cent
following a rise of 2.8 per cent in the October 2001 month. Seasonally adjusted capital machinery and plant imports have
increased for two consecutive months and are up 6.2 per cent in the November 2001 month.
For the year ended November 2001, the provisional value of merchandise imports is $31,867 million, an increase of 2.2
per cent from the previous November year. Excluding items individually valued at $100 million or more (such as large
aircraft and ships), the annual increase in merchandise imports was 6.3 per cent.
The early estimate for November 2001 merchandise exports is $2,690 million, giving a merchandise trade deficit of $351
million for the month, compared with a deficit of $388 million for the November 2000 month. If confirmed, this would be
the smallest November month deficit since November 1997. Detailed statistics for November 2001 merchandise exports will
be released on 22 January 2002.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician