Goods exports rose $366 million (9.9 percent) to $4.1 billion.

Goods imports rose $675 million (14 percent) to $5.5 billion, the third-highest total on record, and the fourth-consecutive month with values over $5 billion.

The monthly trade balance was a deficit of $1.5 billion (37 percent of exports), the largest monthly deficit on record.

Meat and edible offal led the export rise in August 2018, up $137 million (43 percent) to $457 million:

• Sheep meat (lamb and mutton) rose $83 million (55 percent) in value and 42 percent in quantity.

• Beef rose $45 million (31 percent) in value and 23 percent in quantity.

• Meat and edible offal exported in the year ended August 2018 rose 19 percent in value and 7.9 percent in quantity from the August 2017 year.

Milk powder, butter, and cheese rose $80 million (17 percent) to $540 million:

• Milk fats including butter rose $63 million (63 percent) in value, and 55 percent in quantity.

• Milk powder rose $20 million (11 percent) in value to $205 million. Quantity fell 2.0 percent.

• Logs, wood, and wood articles rose $74 million (18 percent) to $477 million, led by a rise in untreated logs, up $58 million (22 percent) to $317 million.