The trade deficit has narrowed slightly, due in part to a rise in exports.
Photo: 123rf
Official figures showed the deficit stood at $846 million in October, compared with a $905m shortfall in the same period a year earlier.
Exports rose 2 percent to $3.9 billion, led by stronger sales of butter, logs and kiwifruit.
That offset a decline in beef and lamb to the key market of China.
Imports edged up 0.6 percent to $4.7bn, boosted in part by large aircraft.
On an annual basis, the deficit stood at 3.3bn.