NZ export sector demonstrating resilience in slowdown

A survey by logistics company DHL found orders remained the same for the last three months for 57 percent of exporters, and 58 percent expect this to continue for the next three months.

A quarter of exporters expect orders to increase in the next three months.

"While three months is a short range forecast, the results show the impact of the recession appears to be limited for exporters," said Derek Anderson, general manager, DHL Express New Zealand.

Even though a fall in the New Zealand dollar will help exporters, 49 percent of them said volatility in the currency had negatively impacted their business. The survey also revealed 50 percent of exporters anticipate the recession will only last another 12 months.

"I think what this really reveals is that the export sector, like many other sectors in New Zealand, is just getting on with business as best it can despite the current financial situation and that's got to be a good thing," said Anderson.

Eight hundred and seventy six freight industry representatives responded to the online survey conducted by DHL Express in October.