Strong dairy exports have helped New Zealand record a smaller than expected trade deficit for August.
Statistics New Zealand says the monthly shortfall stood at $750 million, as export receipts held up better than economists had thought.
The value of exports rose a third to $3.6 billion, boosted by milk powder, butter and cheese, and crude oil.
Imports rose a fifth to $4.4 billion.
Senior economist at UBS Investment Bank, Robin Clements says if oil prices decline and dairy production increases, the trade deficit will improve over the next few months.
