On Thursday 27 October, Statistics New Zealand reported that New Zealand posted a merchandise trade deficit of NZ$1.436 billion in September, - representing 41 percent of exports.
That missed forecasts for a shortfall of NZ$1.123 billion, following the NZ$1.265 billion deficit in August.
Exports came in at NZ$3.47 billion, beneath forecasts for NZ$3.55 billion but up from NZ$3.38 billion in the previous month.
Imports were at NZ$4.90 billion versus expectations for NZ$4.65 billion and up from NZ$4.62 billion a month earlier.
On a quarterly basis, goods exports fell 4.8 percent to NZ$12.0 billion. Meat and edible offal led the fall in exports, down 15 percent (NZ$235 million).
Goods imports added 2.2 percent to NZ$13.1 billion. Capital goods led the rise in imports, up 9.5 percent (NZ$267 million).
Intermediate goods were unchanged, up 0.4 percent, while consumption goods fell 3.0 percent (NZ$106 million).
The quarterly trade deficit was NZ$1.1 billion (9.5 percent of exports), marking the tenth consecutive quarterly trade deficit since March 2014.
On a yearly basis, goods exports fell NZ$210 million (5.7 percent) to $3.5 billion.
Fruit climbed NZ$69 million (44 percent).
Goods imports rose $86 million (1.8 percent). Capital goods led the rise, up NZ$72 million (6.6 percent).
Source: rttnews.com
