OVERSEAS TRADE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 8, 5 October 1943, Page 4

OVERSEAS TRADE

Big Unfavourable Balance Due To Heavy Imports

EIGHT MONTHS’ FIGURES Exports and imports both show substantial increases in the overseas trade figures for August, released yesterday by the Customs Department. Import figures, which now include lend-lease supplies and defence materials, are again abnormally high, resulting in a further increase in the unfavourable trade balExports in August totalled £6,493,000, Compared with £4.823.000 in August, 1942, an increase of £1,670,000. Imports were £10,818,000, against £3,599,000 in August, 1942, an increase of £7,219,000, resulting in an unfavourable trade balance for the month of £4,325,000 againsa favourable balance in August, 1942, of £1.224,000. Following is a comparison of exports and imports for August in the hist five years:—

For the first eight months of, this year exports total £45,633,900, against £ot,524.000 in the corresponding period of 1942. a decrease of £12,191,000,. Imports for the same periods total £64,411,000 and £33.357.000 respectively, an increase of £31,054,000. resulting in _nn unfavourable trade balance of £18,778,000 compared with a favourable balance of £24,467.000 for the snroe period of last year. Export and import values for the first eight months of the past five years compare as follows :—

All values are expressed in terms of New Zealand currency.

Exports. Imports. Excess of Exports. August £ (N.Z.) £(N.Z.) £ (N.Z.) 1043 .. 6.-193,000 10,818.000 •4,325,000 1042 .. 4.823.000 3.599.000 1,224,000 •1.477.000 1941 2.614.000 4,091,000 .1040 .. 4,584.000 5,120,000 •536.000 1030 .. 4.009,000 4.174,000 •75,000 •Excess of Imports.

Excess of 8 mos. Exports. Imports. Exports. to Aug. 31 £(N.Z.) £ (N •%.) £ (N.Z). 1943 ' .. 4ti,CA3,OOO 64,411,000 •18,778.000 1942 .. 57,824.000 33,357.006 24.4C7.000 1941. .. 44.467.000 30.480,000 13,951.000 1940 .. 54,245.000 34,050.000 20,19.7,000 1939 .. 44.478.000 30,440.000 8.033,000 •Excess of imports.