Rising fruit exports in the December 2016 quarter saw wholesale trade sales rise for the third quarter in a row.
Seasonally adjusted total wholesale trade sales were up 0.7% in the December 2016 quarter, after rising 1.2% in the September 2016 quarter and 1.8% in the June 2016 quarter according to Statistics New Zealand.
The other industries with significant sales movements were machinery and equipment – up 1.7% ($79 million) and other goods wholesaling – down 1.9% ($76 million).
“Sales of fruit for exports were higher than usual for a December quarter,” says business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly.
“The December quarter is the non-peak season for fruit exports.”
When adjusted for seasonal effects, four of the six wholesaling industries rose in the December 2016 quarter.
The largest industry increase was in grocery, liquor, and tobacco products wholesaling, which was up 2.0% ($150 million) from the September 2016 quarter.
Fruit exports come under this category. The other goods wholesaling industry includes textile, clothing, and footwear; pharmaceutical and toiletry goods; and furniture and floor covering.
The trend for wholesale trade sales has been increasing since late-2009.
The actual value of wholesale trade sales was $25.9 billion in the latest quarter, almost $1 billion up (3.8%) from the December 2015 quarter.
