Embargoed until 10:45am – 26 August 2008
July exports high, but trend easing
Merchandise exports were valued at $3.4 billion in July 2008, up $781 million (29.6 percent) on July 2007, while
merchandise imports were up $754 (21.9 percent) to $4.2 billion over the same period, Statistics New Zealand said today.
The exports trend has eased in recent months, following a period of strong growth in the second half of 2007. A fall in
seasonally adjusted dairy volumes in the first two quarters of this year, due to the recent drought, has partly offset
the influence on the trend of the substantial increase in crude oil exports and high world dairy prices over the past
year. The imports trend has increased strongly since the middle of 2007, coinciding with a significant rise in fuel
prices.
Crude oil (up $266 million) led the increase for exports in the July 2008 month compared with July 2007.
The next largest increase came from milk powder, butter and cheese which were $192 million higher than July 2007, with
milk powder the main contributor to this rise.
Petroleum and products (up $292 million), led by automotive diesel and crude oil, was the biggest increase for imports
compared with July 2007. The next largest increase came from mechanical machinery and equipment, up $82 million, spread
over several commodities including production equipment for use in New Zealand’s gas fields, irrigation and spray
equipment, and computers.
In July 2008, the monthly trade balance was a deficit of $781 million, or 22.8 percent of exports. Trade deficits for
July months have been over 20 percent of exports for the last four years. The last trade surplus for a July month was in
1991.
Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician
26 August 2008
ENDS