New Zealand’s exports increased 18.1% year-on-year to a record high of NZD 8.9 billion in May 2026, after a downwardly revised 7.7% rise in the previous month. The export growth was mainly driven by higher sales of powder, butter, and cheese (6.9%) and aluminium (23%). Among trading partners, exports to China rose 10.0%, while shipments to Australia, the US, Japan, and the EU increased by 33%, 29%, 31%, and 15%, respectively.