Australia's total export volumes rise in 2012-13: DFAT

Australia's total export volumes grew by 6.0 percent in 2012-13, according to Composition of Trade, Australia 2012-13 and Trade in Primary and Manufactured Products 2012-13, two publications released on Wednesday by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade(DFAT).

The figures of these two publications showed that leading the growth in export volumes, minerals and fuels increased by 9.8 percent in 2012-13, well above the average rate of 5.3 percent for these exports over the past 10 years. And rural export volumes also grew strongly, up 8.7 percent in 2012-13.

Overall, export values fell 4.5 percent to 301.5 billion AU dollars (about 269.12 billion U.S. dollars) in 2012-13, as the increase in export volumes was outweighed by the fall in export prices (down 9.9 percent).

And China, in 2012-13, remained Australia's top trading partner, with two-way trade valued at 131.0 billion AU dollars (about 116. 93 billion dollars), accounting for 21.1 percent of total trade. Japan and the United States followed, accounting for 11.2 percent and 8.7 percent of total trade respectively.

In addition, 2012-13 was the third straight year of rising food exports, up 6.2 percent to 31.1 billion AU dollars (about 27.76 billion dollars). Within the food category exports of wheat increased 6.3 percent to 6.8 billion AU dollars (about 6.07 billion dollars) and vegetables, fruit and nuts, rose 19.0 percent to 2.2 billion AU dollars (about 1.79 billion dollars).

The figures also showed that exports of natural gas rose strongly, up 19.4 percent to 14.3 billion AU dollars (about 12.76 billion dollars). Natural gas is Australia's fifth largest export item after iron ore, coal, gold and education services.

According to the figures,Australia's imports of goods and services rose 0.2 percent in 2012-13, with growth in processed food imports, up 5.8 percent to 10.9 billion AU dollars (about 9. 73 billion dollars). And Australia's terms of trade fell 9.8 percent.