Solomons notches up a trade surplus

The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office says the country has recorded a large trade surplus this year.

The surplus of $US16.89 million comes after a rise in exports and a fall in imports.

Food imports declined with falls in animal and vegetable oil products, although rice and canned meat went up.

Machinery and oil imports also rose.

Exports were driven by a 66 percent surge in logs and timber exports.

The statistics show that Solomon Islands has a trade surplus with China, the main destination of the country's logs.