Overseas Merchandise Trade: December 2009

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).
  

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).