27 Jun 2016

Forestry boosts trade balance

1:21 pm on 27 June 2016

Higher forestry exports have boosted New Zealand's trade balance.

Official figures show exports exceeded imports by $358 million in May.

Exports rose 5 percent to $4.6 billion, led by logs, kiwifruit and apples, which offset a fall in dairy products due to lower prices.

Imports also rose 5 percent to $4.2bn, due to a rise in clothing, drugs, whiteware and furniture.

On an annual basis, the deficit narrowed slightly to $3.6bn.

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