Australia’s Exports Growth Continues

Australia’s total exports rose 17 per cent in 2005-06, to a record $196 billion, Australian Government Minister for Trade, Warren Truss announced today.

Mr Truss said the exports growth is reported in a new Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade publication released today called Composition of Trade, Australia 2005-06.

“Composition of Trade, Australia 2005-06 shows that resources continued to lead export growth. Coal exports rose 42 per cent to $24.3 billion, iron ore exports 57 per cent to $12.8 billion, alumina 20 per cent to $5.3 billion and natural gas 38 per cent to $4.4 billion.

“Exports of manufactures also performed well in 2005-06, increasing 12 per cent to $39.6 billion, while services exports rose six per cent to $41.9 billion.

“Within services, transportation service exports rose four per cent to $8.3 billion in 2005-06, while travel exports rose six per cent to $22.7 billion.”

Mr Truss said trade in goods and services grew strongly in 2005-06, rising 14 per cent to a record $407 billion.

“Continuing domestic consumption growth resulted in imports of goods and services growing 11 per cent to $211 billion.

“Japan remained Australia’s largest merchandise export market, accounting for 20 per cent ($31.1 billion) of exports, followed by China ($18.1 billion) and the Republic of Korea ($11.7 billion),” Mr Truss said.

Composition of Trade, Australia 2005-06 provides a comprehensive analysis of the growth, direction and commodity breakdown of Australia's merchandise exports and imports in recent years, and details of services trade over a five year period.

The publicationis part of a series DFAT publishes each year. The series provides comprehensive information on Australia’s international trade in goods and services.

Analysis and summary tables from publications are on www.dfat.gov.au/publications/stats.html. Orders for Composition of Trade, Australia 2005-06 can also be placed at this site.

Media Inquiries: Minister Truss' office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555