Meat and edible offal export values – New Zealand’s second largest export commodity – have contributed to a seasonally adjusted trade surplus of $147 million,  led by an increase in exports, according to new merchandise trade figures released today by Statistics NZ.

The surplus follows trade deficits of $698 million in the March 2012 quarter and $581 million in the June 2012 quarter.

Exports rose by 5.1 percent to $11.9 billion in the September 2012 quarter, says Statistics NZ. While the increase was led by a rise of 16 percent ($450 million) in the value of milk powder, butter and cheese, meat and edible offal  was also up 10 percent in value ($128 million), with quantities up 14 percent. Value increases for fruit and wine also contributed.

The trend for exports is 1.8 percent lower than its record high of September 2011.