Overseas Merchandise Trade: October 2012

For October 2012 compared with October 2011:

• Exports fell $423 million (11 percent) to $3.5 billion.
• Milk powder, butter, and cheese had the largest decrease, down $205 million (20 percent).
• Imports rose $70 million (1.7 percent) to $4.2 billion.
• Capital and consumption goods rose while intermediate goods fell.
• There was a trade deficit of $718 million (21 percent of exports).
• The trend for exports appears to be decreasing.
• The trend for imports has shown little change in recent months.