Overseas Merchandise Trade: May 2010

For the month of May 2010, compared with May 2009, unless otherwise stated:

• Merchandise exports were up $238 million (6.0 percent) to $4.2 billion.
• This is a new monthly high for exports, and only the third time that exports have exceeded $4 billion.
• Milk powder, butter, and cheese led the increase in export commodities, followed by crude oil, and logs, wood, and wood articles.
• Merchandise imports were up $330 million (10.8 percent) to $3.4 billion.
• Increases in petroleum and products, and vehicles, parts, and accessories were partly offset by decreases in electrical machinery and equipment.
• The trade balance was a surplus of $814 million or 19.4 percent of the value of exports.