Australia Balance of Trade  1971-2017 | Data | Chart | Calendar | Forecast

Australia's trade surplus narrowed 82.5 percent to AUD 0.555 billion in April of 2017 from an upwardly revised AUD 3.169 billion in March. The figure came in below market expectations of AUD 1.95 billion as exports reported a steeper decline than imports. It was the smallest trade surplus in 6 months . Exports decreased by 8 percent to AUD 30.59 billion while imports dropped 1 percent to AUD 30.04 billion. Considering January to April 2017, the trade surplus was recorded at AUD 9.5 billion. Balance of Trade in Australia averaged -540.49 AUD Million from 1971 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 4558 AUD Million in December of 2016 and a record low of -4139 AUD Million in December of 2015.

Australia Balance of Trade
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Calendar GMT Actual Previous Consensus Forecast (i)
2017-04-04 01:30 AM Feb A$3.57B A$1.50B A$1.8B A$1.5B
2017-05-04 01:30 AM Mar A$3.11B A$3.66B A$3.4B A$2.9B
2017-06-08 01:30 AM Apr A$0.555B A$3.169B A$1.9B A$2B
2017-07-06 01:30 AM May A$0.555B
2017-08-03 01:30 AM Jun
2017-09-07 01:30 AM Jul




Australia's Trade Surplus Lowest in 6 Months In April


Australia's trade surplus narrowed 82.5 percent to AUD 0.555 billion in April of 2017 from an upwardly revised AUD 3.169 billion in March. The figure came in below market expectations of AUD 1.95 billion after a cyclone in Queensland sharply reduced exports of coal.

Compared to the prior month, sales of goods and services decreased by 8 percent to AUD 30.59 billion. It is the biggest decline since April of 2015.

Rural goods fell 2 percent to AUD 4 billion, mainly due to a 6 percent decline in sugar, sugar preparations & honey and a 6 percent decline in cereal grains & cereal preparations.

Exports of non-rural goods (bulk commodities and non-bulk commodities) were down 12 percent to AUD 18.59 billion, driven by a 45 percent drop in coal, coke & briquettes.

Partially offsetting these declines were other non-rurals, including sugar & beverages (+26 percent) and metals excluding non-monetary gold (+7 percent).

Non-monetary gold (gold which is not owned by monetary authorities and can be in the form of bullion, including coins, ingots or bar with a purity at least 995 parts per thousand) tumbled 20 percent to AUD 1.47 billion.

Exports of services went up AUD 156 million, or 2 percent, to AUD 6.42 billion. The main component contributing to the rise was maintainence & repair services (+33 percent).  

Imports of goods and services in April edged down 1 percent to AUD 30.04 billion. Imports of non-monetary gold declined the most by 27 percent to AUD 415 million, followed by intermediate and other merchandise goods (-2 percent, driven by a 19 percent fall in fuel & lubricants and a 9 percent fall in other merchandise goods). In contrast, capital goods rose 2 percent, due to purchases of civil aircraft & confidentialised items (+46 percent) and telecommunications equipment (+16 percent).

Imports of services rose AUD 152 million to AUD 6.444 billion. The main component contributing to the rise was "other services" (+3 percent).

Considering January to April 2017, the trade surplus was recorded at AUD 9.5 billion.

ABS | Charles | charles@tradingeconomics.com
6/8/2017 11:57:52 AM


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Australia Trade Last Previous Highest Lowest Unit
Balance of Trade 555.00 3169.00 4558.00 -4139.00 AUD Million [+]
Exports 30590.00 33374.00 33864.00 435.00 AUD Million [+]
Imports 30035.00 30206.00 30356.00 396.00 AUD Million [+]
Current Account -3108.00 -3511.00 295.00 -22996.00 AUD Million [+]
Current Account to GDP -2.70 -4.70 1.40 -6.70 percent [+]
External Debt 1886770.00 1926696.00 1941405.00 147312.00 AUD Million [+]
Terms of Trade 109.70 102.90 136.60 49.30 Index Points [+]
Foreign Direct Investment 64825.00 29636.00 64825.00 -37050.00 AUD Million [+]
Capital Flows 3693.00 5646.00 25769.00 -375.00 AUD Million [+]
Tourist Arrivals 701300.00 768500.00 971800.00 30100.00 [+]
Gold Reserves 79.85 79.85 79.85 79.69 Tonnes [+]
Crude Oil Production 256.00 259.00 781.00 247.00 BBL/D/1K [+]
Terrorism Index 2.74 3.11 3.11 0.01 [+]
Weapons Sales 127.00 83.00 158.00 2.00 USD Million [+]

Exports by Country  |   Exports by Category  |   Imports by Country  |   Imports by Category



Australia Balance of Trade Notes

In 2010 and 2011, Australia reported consistent trade surpluses due to high prices of commodities. However, from 2012 trade balance shifted back to deficit (with exception of first three months of 2014) mostly due to a sharp drop in value of commodity exports and increase in value of imports due to AUD depreciation. In 2015, the biggest trade surpluses were recorded with China, Hong Kong and Japan and New Zealand. The biggest trade deficits were recorded with the United States, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. This page provides the latest reported value for - Australia Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Australia Balance of Trade - actual data, historical chart and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2017.

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
555.00 3169.00 4558.00 -4139.00 1971 - 2017 AUD Million Monthly
SA



balance of trade by Country

Last
Australia 555.00 Apr/17
Brazil 7661.00 May/17
Canada -370.30 Apr/17
China 407.90 May/17
Euro Area 17858.90 Apr/17
France -5535.00 Apr/17
Germany 18078.00 Apr/17
India -13841.70 May/17
Indonesia 474.00 May/17
Italy 3601.32 Apr/17
Japan -203.37 May/17
Mexico 616.79 Apr/17
Netherlands 3833.00 Apr/17
Russia 8001.00 Apr/17
South Korea 5990.00 May/17
Spain -1198829.00 Apr/17
Switzerland 3400.03 May/17
Turkey -4945.41 Apr/17
United Kingdom -2050.00 Apr/17
United States -47617.00 Apr/17