New Zealand dairy exports to China were up 102 percent in value to reach 373 million NZ dollars (277 million U.S. dollars) in June, and up 63 percent in quantity, which boosts the country's exports, its statistics department Stats NZ said on Wednesday.
New Zealand exports rose 11 percent year on year to reach 4.7 billion NZ dollars (3.5 billion U.S. dollars) in June, said a release from the department.
Milk powder, butter, and cheese led the rise, up 45 percent to 1.2 billion NZ dollars (890 million U.S. dollars) and up 11 percent in quantity.
"The milk powder, butter, and cheese group continues to be a key export commodity, and accounts for over a quarter of our total exports," international statistics senior manager Daria Kwon said in the release.
Total monthly imports were valued at 4.5 billion NZ dollars (3.3 billion U.S. dollars), up 7.7 percent from June 2016, Stats NZ said.
Imports of cars led the increase in total imports in June, up 31 percent to reach 505 million NZ dollars (375 million U.S. dollars).
New motor cars led this increase, up 86 million NZ dollars (64 million U.S. dollars) in value, which was 2,566 more new cars than in June 2016, and was the 11th consecutive increase in value year on year, it said.
The trade balance for June was a surplus of 242 million NZ dollars (180 million U.S. dollars), or 5.1 percent of exports. This is the fourth consecutive surplus, Stats NZ said.
