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