New Zealand’s terms of trade for import prices weakened in the first quarter of 2026, with the indicator declining to -0.7%. This marks a reversal from the fourth quarter of 2025, when import prices rose by 1.5%.
The shift from positive to negative territory suggests that the cost dynamics of imported goods changed notably at the start of 2026 compared with late 2025. The updated figures, released on 2 June 2026, indicate that import price pressures have eased, which could have implications for input costs faced by New Zealand businesses and for overall trade conditions in the months ahead.
