Overseas Merchandise Trade: June 2010

June 2010 quarter:

Values are seasonally adjusted and compared with the March 2010 quarter unless otherwise stated.

• Exports increased 6.8 percent to $11.2 billion.
• Export values are now similar to the record high of late 2008.
• Milk powder, butter, and cheese contributed half of the increase in export values.
• Imports increased 5.8 percent to $10.8 billion.
• Import values are still well below their 2008 high.
• The trade balance was a surplus of $389 million (3.5 percent of exports).

June 2010 month:

Values are actual and compared with the June 2009 month unless otherwise stated.

• Exports were up $552 million (17 percent) to $3.8 billion.
• Milk powder, butter, and cheese and logs, wood, and wood articles recorded the largest increases.
• Imports were down $56 million (1.6 percent) to $3.5 billion, but would have shown an increase if a one-off import of aircraft in June 2009 was excluded.
• The trade balance was a surplus of $276 million (7.3 percent of exports).