Photo / NZ HeraldNew Zealand's imports fell by $7.4 billion in 2020 - the biggest annual fall since 2009 - due to Covid-19, Stats NZ said. November and December saw record numbers with large falls in imports but exports holding their own, resulting in an annual trade surplus of $2.9b. New Zealand imported much less fuel as international travel dried up, and the lockdown meant less travel within the country too, Allen said. In contrast to the sharp drop in imports, annual exports were relatively unchanged in 2020, up $24 million to $60b in the year to December. Aircraft and parts rose $435m, as planes were sent to the United States for storage during the slump in international travel.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 28, 2021 01:55 UTC