Overseas Merchandise Trade: December 2012

Embargoed until 10:45am  –  29 January 2013

Sections

Downloads

Media release  – 
Exports fall in December quarter, led by dairy

Key facts

December 2012 quarter:

Values are seasonally adjusted and compared with the September 2012 quarter unless otherwise stated.

  • Exports fell 3.3 percent to $11.5 billion.
  • The decrease was led by a fall in the value of milk powder, butter, and cheese.
  • The trend for exports is 3.2 percent below its record high in the September 2011 quarter.
  • Imports fell 1.5 percent to $11.5 billion.
  • The trend for imports is 6.2 percent lower than its peak in the September 2008 quarter.
  • There was a trade deficit of $87 million (0.8 percent of exports).
 

December 2012 month:

Values are actual and compared with the December 2011 month unless otherwise stated.

  • Exports were down $217 million (5.1 percent) to $4.1 billion.
  • Crude oil recorded the largest decrease, down $113 million (47 percent).
  • Imports fell $403 million (10 percent) to $3.6 billion.
  • There was a trade surplus of $486 million (12 percent of exports).

Graph, Merchandise trend values, quarterly, December 2006 to December 2012 quarters.

 

Geoff Bascand 29 January 2013
Government Statistician ISSN 1178-0320

 

Sections

Downloads