Overseas Merchandise Trade: May 2009

For the month of May 2009 compared with May 2008 unless otherwise stated:

• Merchandise imports were down $809 million (20.7 percent), to $3.1 billion, the largest drop in percentage terms since February 1993.
• Merchandise exports were valued at $4.0 billion, up $218 million (5.8 percent).
• As a percentage of exports, the trade balance recorded a surplus of 21.7 percent, the largest since June 1993.
• Petroleum and products, and passenger motor cars accounted for more than 60 percent of the fall in total imports.
• 80 percent of the increase in exports were to China.