Australia's trade with East Asia grew to $366.7 billion in 2013, up 7.6 per cent on 2012, according to one of three new publications on geographic trade statistics released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade today.
Australia's trade with East Asia also reports that exports to East Asia increased 10.6 per cent to $218.8 billion. Iron ore exports to East Asia accounted for over a quarter of total exports, valued at $69.5 billion. Gold (up 30.5 per cent), beef (up 24.6 per cent) and other ores and concentrates – mainly manganese, lead and zinc ores and concentrates (up 15.1 per cent) all grew strongly in 2013.
In 2013, Australia's trade with Europe was valued at $91.1 billion, down 1.9 per cent on 2012 and Australia's trade with the Americas grew to $69.8 billion, down 3.8 per cent on 2012.
The value of exports to Europe and the Americas in 2013 was $26.3 billion and $21.1 billion respectively, with services exports accounting for around 40 per cent of exports to both markets. Australia's top merchandise exports to Europe were coal ($2.6 billion), gold ($1.8 billion), oil seeds ($1.1 billion) and alcoholic beverages ($610 million). Beef ($1.2 billion), aircraft and parts ($720 million), coal ($681 million) and alcoholic beverages ($671 million) were the top merchandise exports to the Americas.
Combined, East Asia, Europe and the Americas accounted for over 80 per cent of Australia's international trade in 2013. East Asia accounted for 56.6 per cent, Europe 14.1 per cent and the Americas 10.8 per cent of total trade.
The three new publications are part of a series of trade statistics on Australia's international trade in goods and services published each year by DFAT. The analysis and tables from the publications are available on the DFAT website, or please email statssection@dfat.gov.au for a customised consultancy service.
For the latest trade news, visit: dfat.gov.au/trade.
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