Fall in exports to China continues in the year ended September 2023

The total value of goods exported to China in the year ended September 2023 was $19.3 billion, according to figures released by Stats NZ yesterday.

Annual exports to China have been falling since May 2023.

In the year ended September 2023, China received 27 percent of the total value of New Zealand’s total goods exports ($70.4 billion). By comparison, in the year ended September 2013, China received 18 percent ($8.3 billion) of New Zealand’s total goods export values ($46.0 billion).

“Over the past decade, exports to China have been steadily increasing, with a flat period during COVID-19, but in recent months this has started to shift,” international trade manager Alasdair Allen said.

Of our top 15 export commodities for the year ended September 2023, China was our top trading partner for seven of those commodities.

“China is an especially important market for exporters in our primary sectors of food and forestry,” Allen said.

Other main export partners for top commodities

In the year ended September 2023, the following commodities’ main export market was not China.

Mechanical machinery and equipment exports were valued at $2.4 billion in the year ended September 2023. Australia and the United States were the main markets. This category includes things like agricultural machinery (for example, harvesting machines and grading or sorting machines for fruits), as well as other machinery such as laptops.

Wine exports were valued at $2.3 billion in the year ended September 2023. The United States was our main market for wine.

Aluminium and aluminium articles exports were valued at $1.6 billion in the year ended September 2023. Japan was our main market.

Electrical machinery and equipment exports were valued at $1.5 billion in the year ended September 2023. The United States was our number one market, followed very closely by Australia.

Optical, medical, and measuring equipment exports were valued at $1.2 billion in the year ended September 2023. The United States was our main market. During the COVID-19 period, exports of optical, medical, and measuring equipment was at its peak.