Media Release
Australian produced merchandise exports rose 20 per cent in
2005-06. According to analysis released today by the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), exports of Primary products rose
23 per cent, while Manufactures rose 15 per cent.
The new DFAT publication, Exports of Primary and Manufactured
Products, Australia 2005-06, provides a comprehensive
analysis of Australian-produced merchandise trade by level of
processing.
Primary Products account for 66 per cent of Australian produced
merchandise exports in 2005-06. Exports of primary products rose 23
per cent to $95.5 billion, reflecting strong rises in fuels and
minerals exports (both unprocessed and processed).
Unprocessed fuels exports grew 33 per cent in 2005-06 to $30.3
billion, driven by higher commodity prices for coal and crude
petroleum exports. Unprocessed minerals rose 50 per cent to
$23.1 billion in 2005-06, largely due to higher exports of
metalliferous ores such as iron, copper, zinc and lead ores.
Processed primary products were also higher in 2005-06.
Processed fuel exports rose 33 per cent to $8.6 billion, driven by
increased exports of natural gas. A 20 per cent rise in
processed minerals exports to $5.4 billion was mostly due to higher
alumina exports.
Exports of manufactured products rose 15 per cent to $34.1
billion in 2005-06. Manufactures made up 24 per cent of all
Australian-produced merchandise exports in 2005-06. Within
the manufactures category, exports of simply transformed
manufactures (STM), which consist of mainly basic metal
manufactures, rose by 23 per cent to $12.6 billion. Exports
of elaborately transformed manufactures (ETM), which include
sophisticated products such as electronic components, office and
telecommunication equipment, motor vehicles and a variety of other
machinery and equipment, rose by 11 per cent to $21.5 billion.
Exports of Primary and Manufactured Products, Australia
2005-06 is part of a series published each year by DFAT,
providing comprehensive information on Australia's
international trade in goods and services. DFAT also offers a
customised consultancy service, producing reports tailored to
specific requirements. For further information contact (02)
6261 3114, fax (02) 6261 3321 or email statssection@dfat.gov.au.
The analysis and summary tables from publications, and an order
form, are available at: www.dfat.gov.au/publications/stats-pubs/exports_primary_manufacture.html.
Media Inquiries: DFAT Media Liaison on 02 6261 1555