Exports on top

Press, 3 September 1986, Page 32

Exports on top

PA Wellington New Zealand’s merchandise exports topped imports by $l5l million in July, the Government Statistician said in releasing the latest trade figures. This reversed a deficit of $223 million in July last year, but was slightly down on a surplus of $157 million in June. Merchandise exports for July were valued at $1066.9 million. This was a 10 per cent increase compared with July, 1985, for which exports were valued at $969.6 million. Significant-value commodities exported during July were (with July, 1985, comparative figures in brackets) meat and edible meat offals $249.5 million ($192.2 million), wool and other animal hair $l3l million ($98.5 million), fruit $4B million ($48.6), unwrought aluminium $43.7 million ($34.6 million), raw hides and skins $36.5 million ($34.3 million) and fresh, chilled or frozen fish $33.6 million ($21.2 million).

Exports to New Zealand’s leading export purchasing countries for July were: $U5166.9 million (15.6 per cent of total exports), Japan $157.7 million (14.8 per cent), Australia $156.4 million (14.7 per cent), United Kingdom $102.2 million (9.6 per cent) and China $37.2 million (3.5 per cent). Merchandise imports for July were valued at $914.7 million, a decrease of 23.3 per cent on July, 1985, when imports were valued at $1192.9 million.