-
Trade levels shrink, eyes on dairy auction, credit card use limp, NZD firm
In October 2023, goods exports fell by -$552 mln from a year ago (or -9.3%), to $5.4 bn, largely due to sharp falls to China and Australia. Meanwhile goods imports fell by -$1.2 bln (or -14%) on big falls from China, the USA, Korea and the EU, to $7.1 bn. That meant that the monthly trade balance in October was a deficit of -$1.7 bln which was down from -$2.5 bln on October 2022. International credit rating agency S&P says repealing the Affordable Water Reforms could result in local government downgrades. Among the items we are buying less of are tractors for farms. The number registered in October was -21% lower than ... (full story)