Compared to the December 2014 year, total exports for the year to December 2015 fell 2.2%, led by a decline in milk powder exports. Total imports rose 2.5%. However, China remained NZ’s top export destination in 2015.
At the free on board (FOB) level of trade, December exports of milk powder, butter and cheese were down 2.9% compared to December 2014, at $1.4 billion. For the year ended December 2015, FOB exports of milk powder, butter and cheese were down 20.6% from 2014. Exports totalled $11.5 billion for the year.
Measured on a quantity basis, however, exports of milk powder, butter and cheese increased by 5% compared to December 2014. A total of 258,000 tonnes was exported in December 2015.
