Imports Flat

Overseas Merchandise Trade (Imports): October 2001

The provisional value of merchandise imports for October 2001 is $3,017 million, according to latest figures released by Statistics New Zealand. The imports trend shows little change for the latest month, following falls for the previous three months.

Seasonally adjusted consumption goods imports increased 4.2 per cent in the October 2001 month, following five consecutive monthly falls. Excluding crude oil, seasonally adjusted intermediate goods (goods imported for further processing) increased 2.8 per cent, following two consecutive monthly falls. Capital machinery and plant imports showed a seasonally adjusted 0.6 per cent increase, following a 6.9 per cent fall the previous month.

For the year ended October 2001, the provisional value of merchandise imports is $32,021 million, an increase of 3.9 per cent ($1,200 million) from the previous October year.

The early estimate for October 2001 merchandise exports is $2,750 million, giving a merchandise trade deficit of $267 million for the month, compared with a deficit of $185 million for the October 2000 month. Detailed statistics for October 2001 merchandise exports will be released on 12 December 2001.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician
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