{"version":"1","article":{"id":"nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026","slug":"nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026","language":"en","url":"https://haberpaper.com/en/news/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026?lang=en","title":"New Zealand records NZ$1.3 billion goods trade deficit in August","summary":"Goods exports rose 15% year on year to NZ$6.7 billion in August, while imports increased 13% to NZ$8.0 billion.","category":"business","region":"world","topics":[],"published_at":"2026-10-05T20:14:39+03:00","modified_at":"2026-10-05T20:14:39+03:00","publication_basis":"publication-record","event_period":"2026-08","event_period_basis":"event-or-reference-period","sources":[{"name":"Stats NZ","url":"https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/overseas-merchandise-trade-august-2026/","publishedAt":"2026-09-18","checkedAt":"2026-10-05"}],"translations":[{"language":"tr","url":"https://haberpaper.com/tr/news/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026?lang=tr"},{"language":"en","url":"https://haberpaper.com/en/news/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026?lang=en"},{"language":"ar","url":"https://haberpaper.com/ar/news/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026?lang=ar"},{"language":"fr","url":"https://haberpaper.com/fr/news/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026?lang=fr"},{"language":"es","url":"https://haberpaper.com/es/news/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/nz-merchandise-trade-august-2026?lang=es"}],"data_types":[],"data":null,"data_compilations":[],"data_downloads":[],"content":{"paragraphs":["New Zealand recorded a goods trade deficit of NZ$1.3 billion in August, according to Stats NZ figures released on 18 September. Goods exports in August 2026 were NZ$6.7 billion, up NZ$888 million or 15% from the same month a year earlier. Imports reached NZ$8.0 billion, an increase of NZ$924 million or 13%. The release covers goods only and is distinct from the quarterly series that includes services trade. The comparison is with August 2025, not a seasonally adjusted change from July.","Exports of milk powder, butter and cheese reached NZ$1.2 billion, up NZ$84 million or 7.6%. Exports to China rose NZ$191 million and exports to Australia increased NZ$278 million. Imports from China grew NZ$449 million, or 29%, while imports from South Korea increased NZ$394 million, or 88%. Machinery and electrical equipment were also among rising import categories. The trade balance is the difference between export and import values, so a deficit can widen even when both sides rise. This monthly result alone does not measure the annual trade trend or the country’s full current-account position."],"key_points":[],"sections":[]},"text":"Goods exports rose 15% year on year to NZ$6.7 billion in August, while imports increased 13% to NZ$8.0 billion.\n\nNew Zealand recorded a goods trade deficit of NZ$1.3 billion in August, according to Stats NZ figures released on 18 September. Goods exports in August 2026 were NZ$6.7 billion, up NZ$888 million or 15% from the same month a year earlier. Imports reached NZ$8.0 billion, an increase of NZ$924 million or 13%. The release covers goods only and is distinct from the quarterly series that includes services trade. The comparison is with August 2025, not a seasonally adjusted change from July.\n\nExports of milk powder, butter and cheese reached NZ$1.2 billion, up NZ$84 million or 7.6%. Exports to China rose NZ$191 million and exports to Australia increased NZ$278 million. Imports from China grew NZ$449 million, or 29%, while imports from South Korea increased NZ$394 million, or 88%. Machinery and electrical equipment were also among rising import categories. The trade balance is the difference between export and import values, so a deficit can widen even when both sides rise. This monthly result alone does not measure the annual trade trend or the country’s full current-account position.","corrections":[],"editorial_illustration":{"kind":"symbolic-editorial-illustration","documentary":false,"scope":"section","asset_id":"business","url":"https://haberpaper.com/assets/illustrations/business-1536.webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"alt":"Symbolic industrial workshop with machinery, a warehouse and a crane.","language":"en"},"section_illustration":{"kind":"symbolic-editorial-illustration","documentary":false,"scope":"section","asset_id":"business","url":"https://haberpaper.com/assets/illustrations/business-1536.webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"alt":"Symbolic industrial workshop with machinery, a warehouse and a crane.","language":"en"}}}