Wholesale trade sales lifted to $21.6b

A BOOST in basic materials wholesaling, including construction supplies, has led to an overall 2.7 per cent lift in wholesale trade sales in the December quarter.

Wholesale trade sales rose in the last three months of 2013 to reach $21.6 billion, with gains across the board.

‘‘Every wholesaling industry reported increases during the latest quarter,’’ Statistics NZ industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said. ‘‘This has not occurred since the September 2010 quarter.’’

Basic materials wholesaling had the biggest increase in the December 2013 quarter, up $172 million (3.7 per cent). That includes wholesale trade in agricultural supplies and products (excluding food), raw materials and construction supplies.

Other goods wholesaling increased $134m (4.2 per cent). That included businesses that trade in pharmaceutical, stationery, furniture and textiles.

Machinery and equipment wholesaling had a quarterly increase of $133m or 3 per cent. That included trade in consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, professional and scientific instruments and agricultural machinery.

The trend for total wholesale trade sales has generally been increasing since the low point in mid-2009.

For wholesale stocks, the seasonally adjusted value fell 1.7 per cent, down to $9.1 billion.