Meat leads rise in exports in May – news story
19 June 2026
New Zealand’s total exports were valued at $8.9 billion in May 2026, up $1.4 billion (18 percent) compared with the same period last year, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Leading the rise in total exports were meat (up $436 million), dairy (up $147 million), aluminium (up $134 million), and fruit (up $113 million).
Together, these four commodity groups made up 61 percent of the total increase in the value of exports in May 2026.
Total imports were valued at $8.1 billion in May 2026, up $1.7 billion (26 percent) compared with the same period last year. Petroleum and petroleum products (up $834 million) led the rise, accounting for almost half the increase in total imports.
“While monthly overseas merchandise trade does not explicitly measure price changes, the rising value of fuel imports was predominately driven by higher prices,” international accounts spokesperson Shanna Dilworth said.
