Overseas Merchandise Trade (Exports): April 2002
Trade Balance Declines
The updated value of merchandise exports for April 2002 is $2,774 million, according to latest figures released by
Statistics New Zealand. The exports trend is growing at a slower rate than the imports trend. The monthly trend in the
merchandise trade balance shows a decline since August 2001, and now indicates a deficit.
The value of imports for April 2002 is $2,771 million. The updated value of the merchandise trade balance for the April
2002 month is a surplus of $4 million. This replaces the early estimate of $19 million published on 27 May 2002.
Surpluses have been recorded in nine of the 10 previous April months. The small surplus for the April 2002 month follows
a March surplus which, as a percentage of exports, was the highest for a March month since 1994.
The updated value of merchandise exports for the year ended April 2002 is $32,643 million, which is an increase of 5.4
percent from the previous April year. The updated merchandise trade balance for the year ended April 2002 is a surplus
of $483 million. This surplus compares with a deficit for the previous April year of $561 million.
Brian Pink Government Statistician END