Imports continue to ramp up as end of year approaches

The monthly value of goods imports in October 2021 rose $1.4 billion (26 percent) from October 2020, to $6.6 billion, Stats NZ said today.

This increase was led by rises in mechanical machinery and equipment, such as turbo jets and laptops, up $279 million, and vehicles, parts, and accessories, up $239 million.

"These rises reflect both a rebound from the low import values in 2020, and an ongoing increase in the quantity and value of imports," international trade manager Alasdair Allen said.

There were increases in imports from all our top trading partners, with China making up 27 percent of the total rise.

Imports of fertilisers were up $106 million (78 percent), reaching $241 million. There was also a large increase in imports of pharmaceutical products, up $104 million (85 percent), led by imports of vaccines.