KEY POINTS:
Seasonally adjusted total wholesale trade sales increased 2.4 per cent in the June quarter to reach $9.94 billion, Statistics New Zealand says.
Close to half the increase came from food and grocery products wholesaling, which rose $237 million, or 6.3 per cent, followed by machinery and equipment wholesaling, up $102 million, or 11.6 per cent.
Partly offsetting the rises were decreases in wholesaling, down $72 million or 6.5 per cent, and household goods wholesaling, down $66 million or 8.4 per cent.
Between the December 2005 and June 2007 quarters, the total wholesale trade sales trend increased 9.1 per cent, following a flat period at the end of 2005.
The wholesale trade stocks rose in the June quarter after a 1.7 per cent fall in the March quarter. The higher value of stocks was largely due to a $269 million increase in the petroleum product industry, and a $148 million increase in the motor vehicle industry.
- NZPA
