Exports continue to soar

Stats NZ reports:

Exports of primary products led the rise in total goods exports in February 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today. This includes rises for milk powder, logs, and sheepmeat exports.

The value of exported goods rose $663 million (17 percent) to $4.6 billion in February 2014, compared with February 2013. …

The trade balance for February 2014 was a surplus of $818 million (18 percent of exports). This is the highest-ever trade surplus for any February month and compares with a surplus of $432 million (11 percent of exports) in February 2013.

Not bad. Look at the last six years or so here.

Seasonally adjusted imports are at much the same level as 2008, while exports are around $7 billion a year higher.