I am pleased to announce that export volumes increased 10 per cent in 2000, generating a rise of 27 per cent in export income, the biggest rise in export income in more than 20 years.  That takes the figure for goods to $110.4 billion, $142.5 billion when services exports are included.

The good news is included in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade publication Composition of Trade, Australia, 2000, released today.

While launching this year's Australian Export Awards earlier this month I made the point that Australia's exporting community is experiencing one of its most successful periods and these figures confirm the recent strength of export performance across the board.

Several milestones were reached in Australia's export performance in the year 2000.  For example, crude petroleum exports increased by more than $5 billion, to $7.6 billion.  Exports of natural gas passed the $2 billion mark for the first time, increasing by 68 per cent, to $2.4 billion.  Passenger motor vehicle exports were worth $2.3 billion, the first year that they have returned more than $2 billion.  Strong sales of aluminium ores to Japan and Taiwan in particular pushed the value of these exports over $4 billion in 2000.

The wine industry also continued to be a major performer, with exports growing by 26 per cent in 2000 to $1.6 billion, surpassing the 1999 total of $1.2 billion.  Australia is the world's third largest wine exporter after France and Spain.  During the last ten years the output of the Australian wine industry has almost doubled, with 45 per cent of the increased production going overseas.

Last year's impressive trade performance has continued into 2001, with exports outpacing imports throughout the first quarter, resulting in a trade surplus of $576 million.  Exports are responsible for approximately one in five jobs in Australia even though relatively few firms are involved in exporting.  Exporting businesses tend to be more successful and I encourage firms to get into export activity wherever possible.

Composition of Trade, Australia, 2000 provides a comprehensive analysis of the growth, direction and commodity breakdown of Australia's merchandise trade in recent years.  Individual reports detail composition of trade with all of our major trading partners and regions over the past five years. This edition also contains an article analysing wine exports by State.

Copies of the publication can be purchased ($43.00) from the Market Information and Analysis Unit on Ph (02) 6261 3114 or Fax (02) 6261 3321.  The main features and analysis from the report will be available on the department's website at www.dfat.gov.au/publications/statistics/html.  Orders for the publication can also be placed at this site.

Contact:
James Baker (Ministerial) 02 6277 7420 mobile 0418 273 475
Nicole Guihot (Departmental) 02 6261 1555