Logs, wood, and wood articles had the largest increase in January 2016 compared with January 2015, up $44m (22%) to $244m, with value rising more than quantity in percentage terms. Rough wood (wood in its natural felled state) led the rise, up $22m (17%), with quantity exported up 10%. Sawn wood rose 9.7m (29%), with quantity up 31%. Fibreboard rose $6.4m (45%), with quantity up 23%.
The largest export commodity group, milk powder, butter, and cheese rose $43m (3.7%) to $1.2b in January 2016. The rise was led by milk fats including butter, up $30m (13%), and cheese and curd, up $28m (19%). It was partly offset by a fall in natural milk constituents, down $22 million (28%).
Fruit saw the biggest percentage increase and rose $20 million (32%) to $81m in January 2016 compared with January 2015. It was led by a rise in cherries, up $19m (51%) to a new record high of $55m. The quantity of exported cherries also rose to a new record high, of 2668 tonnes (up 30%).
The value and quantity of cherry exports are anticipated to further increase in February 2016 with the closing of the cherry season.
Exports of milk powder, butter, and cheese, as well as cherries, propelled China further ahead of Australia as New Zealand’s top export destination in January 2016.
Exports to Australia, New Zealand's second highest export destination, were up $55m (11%), led by a rise in food preparations for infant use, up $26m, and paper and paperboard, up $14m (92%). Milk powder, butter, and cheese rose $12m (34%), including cheese and curd, up $6.3m (30%).
A fall in beef exports to the United States, New Zealand's third largest export destination, led a decline in total exports, down $47m (9.5%). Beef exports were down $58m (33%), with quantity exported down 23%. Casein and caseinates also fell, down $20m (39%) and milk powder, butter, and cheese fell $19m (25%).
Increased lamb exports to the European Union helped to push up total exports by $16m (4.2%). Lamb exports were up $22m (15%). Wine fell $16m (39%) to $26m, with quantity down 49%.
Exports to Japan showed little total change, up just $673,000 (0.3%). Exports of logs, wood, and wood articles rose $7.3m (42%), while aluminium and aluminium articles fell $8.8m (19%).
In January 2016 there was a goods trade surplus of $8.1m (0.2% of exports), and an annual trade deficit of $3.6b. View the overseas merchandise trade data here
