Overseas Merchandise Trade: April 2010

For the month of April 2010, compared with April 2009, unless otherwise stated:

• Merchandise exports were up $329 million (9.0 percent) to $4.0 billion.
• Milk powder, butter, and cheese led the increase in export commodities, followed by wood and wood products, and meat and edible offal.
• Merchandise imports were down $5 million (0.2 percent) to $3.3 billion.
• Decreases in petroleum and products and electrical machinery were mostly offset by the importation of the HMNZS Otago, and increases in vehicles, parts, and accessories.
• The trade balance was a surplus of $656 million or 16.5 percent of the value of exports.
• The annual trade balance for the year ended April 2010 was a surplus of $161 million, the first annual trade surplus recorded since July 2002.