The trade balance for October 2013 was a deficit of $168 million, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the lowest deficit for an October month since the mid-1990s. October months historically have trade deficits. "The low trade deficit was due to exported goods recording the highest value for an October month," industry and labour statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver said. "It was the highest value for exported goods for any month since March 2013." The value of exported goods rose $783 million (23 percent) to $4.2 billion. This rise was due to milk powder, butter, and cheese, up $690 million, while ... (full story)