New Zealand posted its sixth consecutive monthly trade surplus in June, underpinned by record kiwifruit sales.
The trade surplus for June was $127million, with $4.25 billionin exports and $4.13billion in imports for the month, Statistics New Zealand data showed yesterday.
The annual deficit of $3.6billion in May declined to $3.3billion for June.
Overall, goods exported rose $109million, or by 2.6%, in June to $4.25billion. Kiwifruit exports were up by $105million, or 47%, from June last year, reaching $331million.
ASB rural economist Nathan Penny said kiwifruit was the "star'' export of the month and export values during the past year reached a record high of $1.7billion.
"Fruit exports more generally were strong, with apple export values posting a 23% annual rise,'' he said.
SNZ's international statistics senior manager Jason Attewell said the rise in June was across all the top kiwifruit export destinations, but particularly to Japan, up $55million and China, up by $39million.
"The quantities of kiwifruit exported also rose, up 32%, with gold kiwifruit up 49%, and green kiwifruit up 21%,'' Mr Attewell said in a statement.
"Export values of kiwifruit for the months of May and June 2016 are the two highest on record,'' he said.
The rise in fruit exports eclipsed other rises in export commodities for the June 2016 year, including forestry products, up by $250million and meat products, up by $237million, he said.
Mr Penny said nine out of the top 10 export categories posted an annual increase during the year to June.
In total, non-dairy export values increased $2billion, or 5.6% for the year, compared to the $1billion fall in dairy export values, Mr Penny said.
Mr Attewell said the rise in fruit also helped to offset a fall in annual exports of milk powder, butter, and cheese, which were down by $875million.
Within these dairy exports there were contrasting movements. Milk powder was down $1.1billion or 16%, with little change in the quantity exported.
"In contrast, the values and quantities of butter, cheese, and fresh milk and cream exported were all up in the year ended June 2016,'' Mr Attewell said.
