New Zealand's export to China was 141 million U.S. dollars in March, 2007, a 4.6 percent increase over March, 2006, Statistics New Zealand said Thursday.

It said the import from China recorded 396 million NZ dollars (293 million U.S. dollars) in March, up 7.6 percent over March lastyear.

Overall trade volume between the two countries was 7,069 million NZ dollars (5,231 million dollars) for the year up toMarch, 2007, an increase of 22.7 percent over the previous year.

China remains the fourth export and the second import partner of New Zealand in trade volume.

According to Statistics New Zealand, the country's whole value of seasonally adjusted merchandise exports for the March 2007 quarter rose 1.4 percent, while seasonally adjusted imports rose 1.0 percent compared with the December 2006 quarter.

The current rise in seasonally adjusted exports follows a fall in the December 2006 quarter, which was due to high values in the June and September 2006 quarters.

The monthly trade balance for March 2007 was a surplus of 61 million NZ dollars (43 million dollars).

Although this is the first trade surplus since April last year, it is typical to have a surplus in the month of March. Over the last decade only two March months have been in deficit, said Statistic New Zealand.