Fruit export volumes were behind a rise in New Zealand's wholesale trade sales in the June 2019 quarter, according to new figures from Statistics NZ.
The seasonally adjusted sales value for wholesale trade rose 0.8 percent, compared with the same quarter last year.
The largest increase was in the grocery, liquor, and tobacco industry, up $295 million (3.5 percent).
Stats NZ business statistics manager Geraldine Duoba said that was led by bumper sales for fruit exporters.
"Kiwifruit exports, in particular, saw strong gains on the previous year's sales," she said.
Notable gains for fruit exports in the June quarter (particularly in the April month) could be seen in overseas merchandise trade data.
"Three of the six wholesaling industries had sales rises in the June 2019 quarter," Duoba said.
Motor vehicles and motor-vehicle parts wholesaling had the largest decrease in sales value in the June 2019 quarter, down $116 million (4.1 percent).
"The fall in motor vehicle wholesaling is reflected in the declining number of new vehicle registrations, which have been falling since early 2018."
The actual value of total wholesale trade sales was $28 billion in the June 2019 quarter, up $978 million (3.7 percent) from the June 2018 quarter.
Newshub.
