December 2009 quarter:
Values are seasonally adjusted and compared with the September 2009 quarter unless otherwise stated. - Exports decreased 2.8 percent to $9.2 billion, the fourth consecutive quarterly decrease.
- Milk powder, butter, and cheese, and crude oil dominated the fall in exports.
- Imports decreased 3.2 percent to $9.4 billion, the fifth consecutive quarterly decline.
- The decline in imports was led by falls in capital goods and intermediate goods.
- The trade balance was a deficit of $170 million (1.8 percent of exports).
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December 2009 month:
Values are actual and compared with the December 2008 month unless otherwise stated. - Exports were down 11.3 percent ($433 million) to $3.4 billion.
- Milk powder, butter, and cheese showed the largest decrease.
- Imports decreased 18.6 percent ($776 million) to $3.4 billion.
- Mechanical machinery and equipment, and vehicles, parts, and accessories led the fall in imports.
- The decline in the export and import trends appears to have eased in recent months.
- The trade balance was a surplus of $2 million (0.1 percent of exports).
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