1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2005  
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Contents >> International accounts and trade >> International merchandise trade

International merchandise trade statistics cover all movable goods which add to (imports) or subtract from (exports) Australia's stock of material resources. The statistics are compiled from information submitted by importers and exporters to the Australian Customs Service. Some goods are excluded for conceptual or practical reasons, for example, those goods temporarily brought to Australia for subsequent forwarding to foreign destinations, and low-value imports and exports in the parcel post system.

The data about merchandise exports and imports are used in the compilation of the balance of payments. However, various adjustments relating to coverage, timing, classification and valuation are necessary to put international merchandise trade statistics on a balance of payments basis. Consequently, the merchandise exports and imports statistics, and the excess of exports (+) or imports (-), shown in this section differ from those shown in International accounts.

Conceptual framework

Australia's international merchandise trade statistics are compiled in broad agreement with the UN recommendations for the compilation of international merchandise trade statistics. More information on the concepts, sources and methods used is included in International Merchandise Trade, Australia: Concepts, Sources and Methods (5489.0).

The UN recommendations state that merchandise trade covers all movable goods which add to (imports) or subtract from (exports) the stock of material resources of a country as a result of their movement into or out of the country.

The UN definition excludes:

  • direct transit trade, that is, goods being transhipped or moved through Australia for purposes of transport only
  • ships and aircraft moving through Australia while engaged in the transport of passengers or goods between Australia and other countries
  • non-merchandise trade, consisting primarily of goods moving on a temporary basis (e.g. mobile equipment, goods under repair and goods for exhibition).

International merchandise trade statistics are compiled by the ABS from information submitted by exporters and importers or their agents to the Australian Customs Service.

Classification

International merchandise trade is classified by commodity, by country of origin/destination, by Australian state of production/destination, and by industry of origin.

The international standard for the classification of internationally traded goods by commodity is the Harmonized System, a World Customs Organization classification which groups goods according to their component materials, from raw materials through to processed and manufactured products.

The ABS adopts this as the basis for exports classification using the Australian Harmonised Export Commodity Classification and for imports classification using the Combined Australian Customs Tariff Nomenclature and Statistical Classification (Customs Tariff).

The ABS also classifies export and import statistics according to:
  • the UN Standard International Trade Classification (SITC Rev. 3) which groups goods according to the degree of processing they have undergone, from food and crude raw materials through to highly transformed manufactures
  • the UN Classification by BEC which classifies international trade for the purposes of general economic analysis according to the main end use of the commodities traded.

Commodity statistics in this section are presented according to SITC Rev. 3.

Valuation

For exports, the point of valuation adopted is free-on-board (f.o.b.) at the Australian port of shipment, while the basis of valuation is 'transactions value', that is, the actual price at which the goods are sold.

For imports, the point of valuation is the point of containerisation (in most cases), or f.o.b. at the customs frontier of the exporting country or the port of loading, whichever comes first. The basis of valuation is the customs value. For transactions between independent buyers and sellers, this will generally be the price actually payable. Where traders are not independent (e.g. if they are related or affiliated in some way), an appropriate customs value may be determined.

Total merchandise exports and imports

Australia's international merchandise trade balance in 2003-04 was a record deficit of $22.1b. This followed a deficit of $17.7b in 2002-03. The previous highest deficit was $12.8b in 1999-2000. In 2003-04 there was a substantial fall in exports, down 6% to $108.9b, and a smaller fall in imports, down 2% to $131.0b. Table 30.15 and graph 30.16 show the value of total merchandise exports and imports since 1998-99.


30.15 TOTAL MERCHANDISE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS

Exports
Imports
Merchandise trade balance(a)
$m
$m
$m

1998-99
85,991
97,611
-11,620
1999-2000
97,286
110,078
-12,792
2000-01
119,539
118,317
1,222
2001-02
121,108
119,649
1,459
2002-03
115,479
133,129
-17,650
2003-04
108,906
131,020
-22,114

(a) A negative sign indicates that merchandise imports exceed merchandise exports.

Source: International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (5368.0).

Graph 30.16: TOTAL MERCHANDISE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS


Merchandise exports and imports by commodity

In 2003-04 exports decreased by $6.6b (6%) to $108.9b. The SITC sections with the largest decreases were:
  • mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, down $3.4b (14%)
  • machinery and transport equipment, down $1.6b (12%)
  • manufactured goods classified chiefly by material, down $1.3b (10%)
  • crude materials, inedible, except fuels, down $0.7b (3%).

These decreases were partly offset by increases in:
  • commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere, up $0.4b (3%)
  • chemicals and related products nes, up $0.2b (4%).

In 2003-04 imports decreased by $2.1b (2%) to $131b. Apart from small increases in chemicals and related products (up $51m) and animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes (up $4m) all other SITC sections recorded decreases. The largest decreases were in:
  • commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere, down $0.8b (22%)
  • mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, down $0.5b (5%)
  • manufactured goods classified chiefly by material, down $0.3b (2%)
  • machinery and transport equipment, down $0.3b (0.5%).

The value of merchandise exports and imports by commodity for 2002-03 and 2003-04, and their share of total merchandise trade for 2003-04, are shown in table 30.17.


30.17 MERCHANDISE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, By commodity(a)

Exports
Imports


2002-03
2003-04
Share of total
for 2003-04
2002-03
2003-04
Share of total
for 2003-04
Standard International Trade Classification (SITC)
$m
$m
%
$m
$m
%

Food and live animals
18,400
18,221
16.7
5,109
5,016
3.8
Beverages and tobacco
2,724
2,700
2.5
1,062
900
0.7
Crude materials, inedible, except fuels
21,466
20,789
19.1
1,954
1,931
1.5
Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials
23,803
20,434
18.8
10,600
10,092
7.7
Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes
324
358
0.3
364
368
0.3
Chemical and related products, n.e.s.
5,094
5,298
4.9
15,024
15,075
11.5
Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material
12,608
11,357
10.4
16,073
15,759
12.0
Machinery and transport equipment
13,530
11,942
11.0
60,636
60,355
46.1
Miscellaneous manufactured articles
4,414
4,278
3.9
18,716
18,706
14.3
Commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere in the SITC(b)(c)
13,118
13,528
12.4
3,592
2,817
2.2
Total
115,479
108,906
100.0
133,129
131,020
100.0

(a) Excludes commodities subject to a confidentiality restriction.
(b) Includes commodities subject to a confidentiality restriction.
(c) Includes small value export entries that cannot yet be allocated by commodity.

Source: International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (5368.0).


Australia's most valuable export commodities for 2003-04, and their principal markets, were:

Coal, $10.8b - 10% of total exports: Japan (43% of total coal exports), the Republic of (South) Korea (12%), India (9%) and Taiwan (6%).

Non-monetary gold, $5.7b - 5% of total exports: India (47% of total non-monetary gold exports), United Kingdom (22%) and the Republic of (South) Korea (13%).

Iron ore, $5.2b - 5% of total exports: Japan (39% of total iron ore exports), China (36%) and the Republic of (South) Korea (14%).

Crude petroleum products, $4.6b - 4% of total exports: the Republic of (South) Korea (22% of total crude petroleum product exports), Singapore (21%), China (14%) and the United States of America (11%).

Between 2002-03 and 2003-04 the commodities that recorded the largest falls in the value of exports were crude petroleum, down $1.2b (21%), and coal, down $1.0b (9%). These falls were partly offset by rises in the value of exports of medicaments, up $0.4b (26%), and wheat, up $0.4b (12%).

Table 30.18 lists the highest value exports for 2002-03 and 2003-04, and their share of total merchandise exports for 2003-04.


30.18 MERCHANDISE EXPORTS OF MAJOR COMMODITIES
2002-03
2003-04
Share of total merchandise
exports 2003-04
Commodity (SITC 3-digit code)
$m
$m
%

Coal, not agglomerated (321)
11,940
10,893
10.0
Gold, non-monetary (excl. gold ores and concentrates) (971)
5,584
5,651
5.2
Iron ore and concentrates (281)
5,342
5,216
4.8
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude (333)
5,882
4,643
4.3
Meat of bovine animals, fresh, chilled or frozen (011)
3,907
3,917
3.6
Aluminium (684)
4,059
3,803
3.5
Aluminium ores and concentrates (incl. alumina) (285)
3,590
3,710
3.4
Wheat (incl. spelt) and meslin, unmilled (041)
3,036
3,398
3.1
Motor vehicles principally designed for transport of persons (excl. public-transport type, incl. racing cars) (781)
2,797
2,927
2.7
Alcoholic beverages (112)(a)
2,575
2,594
2.4
Wool and other animal hair (incl. wool tops) (268)(a)
3,300
2,489
2.3
Natural gas (343)
2,607
2,175
2.0
Medicaments (incl. veterinary medicaments) (542)
1,725
2,167
2.0
Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (not crude); preparations, with 70% or more by weight of these oils (334)
2,453
1,978
1.8
Meat and edible meat offal (excl. bovine), suitable or fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled or frozen (012)
1,661
1,704
1.6
Ores and concentrates of base metal (excl. iron, copper, nickel, aluminium, uranium and thorium) (287)
1,220
1,321
1.2
Copper (682)
1,327
1,286
1.2
Copper ores and concentrates; copper mattes, cement copper (283)
1,051
1,243
1.1
Milk and cream and milk products (excl. butter and cheese) (022)
1,346
1,241
1.1
Total of all other commodities(b)
50,078
46,549
41.7
Total
115,479
108,906
100.0

(a) Excludes commodities subject to a confidentiality restriction.
(b) Includes commodities subject to a confidentiality restriction.

Source: International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (5368.0).


Australia's most valuable commodity imports for 2003-04, and their principal sources, were:

Passenger motor vehicles, $11.2b - 9% of total imports: Japan (57% of total passenger motor vehicle imports), Germany (15%), and the Republic of (South) Korea and South Africa (each 5%).

Crude petroleum oils, $6.3b - 5% of total imports: Vietnam (25% of total crude petroleum imports), Indonesia and Malaysia (each 18%) and the United Arab Emirates (9%).

Computing equipment, $5.1b - 4% of total imports: China (27% of total computing equipment imports), Malaysia (16%), the United States of America (12%) and Singapore (10%).

Medicaments, $4.9b - 4% of total imports: United Kingdom (22% of total medicaments imports), the United States of America (15%) and Germany (10%).

Between 2002-03 and 2003-04 the commodities that recorded the largest falls in the value of imports were aircraft and parts, down $1.7b (30%), and crude petroleum oils, down $1.5b (19%). These falls were partly offset by rises in motor vehicles, up $0.9b (9%), and non-crude petroleum, up $0.9b (37%).

Table 30.19 lists the highest value imports for 2002-03 and 2003-04, and their share of total merchandise imports for 2003-04.


30.19 MERCHANDISE IMPORTS OF MAJOR COMMODITIES

2002-03
2003-04
Share of total merchandise
imports 2003-04
Commodity (SITC 3-digit code)
$m
$m
%

Motor vehicles principally designed for transport of persons (excl. public-transport type, incl. racing cars) (781)
10,283
11,217
8.6
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude (333)
7,814
6,321
4.8
Automatic data processing machines & units thereof, magnetic, optical readers; data transcribers & processors (752)
4,871
5,127
3.9
Medicaments (incl. veterinary medicaments) (542)
4,241
4,898
3.7
Telecommunications equipment, n.e.s.; parts, and accessories of radio, television, video & similar apparatus, n.e.s. (764)
4,238
4,359
3.3
Aircraft and associated equipment; spacecraft (incl. satellites and spacecraft launch vehicles; parts thereof) (792)
5,481
3,818
2.9
Petroleum oils, oils from bituminous minerals (not crude); preparations, with 70% or more by weight of these oils (334)(a)
2,409
3,311
2.5
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods and special purpose motor vehicles (782)
2,888
3,116
2.4
Gold, non-monetary (excl. gold ores and concentrates) (971)
2,959
2,544
1.9
Parts and accessories (excl. covers, cases and the like) for use with office & automatic data processing mach. (759)
2,376
2,148
1.6
Parts, nes and accessories of the motor vehicles of Groups 722, 781, 782 and 783 (784)
2,311
2,109
1.6
Paper and paperboard (641)
2,076
2,029
1.6
Measuring, checking, analysing and controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s. (874)
1,881
1,961
1.5
Electrical machinery and apparatus, n.e.s. (778)
1,895
1,799
1.4
Civil engineering and contractors' plant and equipment (723)
1,541
1,731
1.3
Furniture and parts thereof; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings (821)
1,487
1,584
1.2
Baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods (894)
1,715
1,581
1.2
Internal combustion piston engines, and parts thereof, n.e.s. (713)
1,697
1,577
1.2
Heating and cooling equipment, and parts thereof, n.e.s. (741)
1,521
1,555
1.2
Household type, electrical and non-electrical equipment, n.e.s. (775)
1,459
1,483
1.1
Sound recorders or reproducers; television image and sound recorders or reproducers; prepared unrecorded media (763)
1,090
1,321
1.0
Televisions (incl. video monitors & projectors) (761)
1,068
1,305
1.0
Total of all other commodities(b)
65,831
64,126
48.9
Total
133,129
131,020
100.0

(a) Excludes commodities subject to a confidentiality restriction.
(b) Includes commodities subject to a confidentiality restriction.

Source: International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (5368.0).


Merchandise exports and imports by country

For exports, country refers to the country to which the goods were consigned at the time of export. For imports, country refers to the country of origin of the goods, that is, where the majority of processing of the goods takes place.

In 2003–04 Australia recorded a merchandise trade deficit of $22.1b which was an increase of $4.5b on the deficit of $17.7b in 2002-03. The following trading partners largely contributed to this increased deficit:
  • Singapore - trade deficit of $2.1b, a turnaround of $2.3b on the previous year's surplus due to a $1.6b decrease in exports and a $0.7b increase in imports. The main commodities contributing to the decrease in exports are petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (down $0.9b) and non-monetary gold (down $0.3b). The increase in imports was due mainly to petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (up $0.9b).
  • United Kingdom - trade deficit of $0.3b, a turnaround of $1.8b on the previous year's surplus due to a $2.1b decrease in exports and a $0.3b decrease in imports. The main commodities contributing to the decrease in exports are non-monetary gold (down $0.9b) and special transactions and commodities not classified according to kind (down $0.8b). The decrease in imports was spread across many commodities.
  • Japan - trade surplus fell by $1.7b to $3.7b due to a $1.9b decrease in exports. For exports, decreases were recorded for petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (down $0.5b) coal, coke and briquettes (down $0.3b) gas, natural and manufactured (down $0.3b) and non-ferrous metals (down $0.2b) which were partly offset by an increase in exports of meat and meat preparations (up $0.4b).

Improvements in the balance of trade were recorded with the following countries:
  • United States of America - trade deficit fell by $1.6b due to a $2.6b decrease in imports partly offset by $0.9b decrease in exports. This decrease in imports is largely due to a decrease in imports of aircraft and associated equipment and parts (down $1.7b) after an unusually high figure in 2002-03.
  • India - trade surplus increased by $2.3b due to a $2.3b increase in exports. Non-monetary gold (up $2.3b) was the major contributor to the increase in exports.

Graph 30.20 shows Australian merchandise exports and imports by value for Australia's top trading partners. Graph 30.21 shows the countries with which Australia has the highest net merchandise trade balance (surplus or deficit).

Table 30.22 shows total merchandise exports and imports for the last two financial years and the merchandise trade balance in 2003-04 for Australia's top trading partners. Statistics are also provided for the following country grouping:
  • APEC - Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Indonesia, Japan, Republic of (South) Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam. Peru, Russian Federation and Vietnam are included from 1998-99.
  • ASEAN - Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Burma and Laos are included from July 1997. Cambodia is included from April 1999.
  • EU - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
  • OECD - Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of (South) Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America. Czech Republic and Hungary are included from January 1996 and Republic of (South) Korea and Poland are included from 1996-97.

Graph 30.20: MERCHANDISE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, Selected countries - 2003-04

Graph 30.21: MERCHANDISE TRADE BALANCE(a), Selected countries - 2003-04

30.22 MERCHANDISE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, By country and country group(a)

Exports
Imports
Balance of trade



2002-03
2003-04
2002-03
2003-04
2003-04
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m

Belgium-Luxembourg
840
668
1,153
1,239
-571
Brazil
413
510
490
494
16
Canada
1,837
1,806
1,755
1,818
-12
China (excl. SARs & Taiwan Prov.)
8,803
9,912
13,789
15,339
-5,427
Denmark
125
167
770
857
-690
Egypt(a)
370
649
20
36
613
Fiji
543
429
222
210
219
Finland
457
575
680
651
-76
France
1,172
925
3,781
3,816
-2,891
Germany
1,585
1,309
7,952
7,985
-6,676
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
3,214
2,751
1,234
1,202
1,549
India
2,576
4,861
979
1,000
3,861
Indonesia
2,911
2,983
4,600
3,766
-783
Iran
407
125
40
43
82
Iraq
360
315
37
-
315
Ireland
183
171
1,607
1,686
-1,515
Israel
194
160
481
470
-310
Italy
1,861
1,376
4,148
4,216
-2,840
Japan
21,727
19,798
16,337
16,101
3,697
Korea, Republic of (South)
9,115
8,473
4,753
4,878
3,595
Kuwait
518
580
184
110
470
Malaysia
2,146
2,225
4,261
4,705
-2,480
Mexico
430
340
572
603
-263
Netherlands
1,364
1,363
1,283
1,197
166
New Zealand
8,127
8,080
5,019
5,056
3,024
Pakistan
285
439
192
161
278
Papua New Guinea
950
808
1,502
1,417
-609
Philippines
1,091
931
839
762
169
Saudi Arabia
1,991
1,992
1,284
756
1,236
Singapore
4,658
3,056
4,370
5,107
-2,051
South Africa
1,314
1,429
1,060
1,246
183
Spain
668
650
1,047
1,103
-453
Sweden
211
223
1,810
1,739
-1,516
Switzerland
378
181
1,230
1,190
-1,009
Taiwan
4,310
3,701
3,376
3,395
306
Thailand
2,479
2,465
3,471
3,675
-1,210
Turkey
298
277
223
262
15
United Arab Emirates
1,234
1,184
755
742
442
United Kingdom
7,234
5,132
5,769
5,430
-298
United States of America
10,365
9,453
22,494
19,945
-10,492
Vietnam
472
511
2,505
2,023
-1,512
Others countries(b)
6,262
5,923
5,055
4,589
1,334
Total
115,479
108,906
133,129
131,020
-22,114
APEC
83,022
77,692
92,245
91,094
-13,402
ASEAN
13,855
12,263
20,749
20,555
-8,292
EU
15,864
12,722
31,397
31,026
-18,304
OECD
68,360
61,263
84,750
81,861
-20,598

(a) Exports of alumina to Egypt are excluded from its country total and included in the 'Other Countries' category.
(b) Others include: all countries not displayed in table; Zone of Co-op A-Timor Gap; Destination or Origin Unknown; International Waters; No country details; Confidentialised alumina exports; and Ship and aircraft stores.

Source: International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (5368.0).


Merchandise exports and imports by industry of origin

Table 30.23 shows Australia's merchandise trade statistics classified according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC). The statistics are compiled by allocating international trade data for a commodity to an ANZSIC industry of origin category, based upon the industry which predominantly produces that commodity in Australia as defined by the ANZSIC.

The majority of exports in 2003-04 were classified to Manufacturing, $62.2b (57% of total exports) and Mining, $28.5b (26% of total exports). Most ANZSIC subdivisions recorded decreases in 2003-04 with the largest being in Oil and gas extraction, down $1.9b (20%), Machinery and equipment manufacturing, down $1.7b (11%), and Coal mining, down $1.0b (9%).

The majority of imports were classified to Manufacturing, $122.9b (94% of total imports) which remained stable compared with the previous year. The Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting division decreased by 22% and the Mining division decreased by 16%. The ANZSIC subdivisions recording the largest movements were Oil and gas extraction, down $1.4b (18%), and Petroleum, coal, chemical and associated product manufacturing, up $0.8b (4%).


30.23 MERCHANDISE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, By industry of origin

Exports
Imports


2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
Industry of origin
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Agriculture
10,643
8,544
8,409
575
870
678
Services to agriculture; hunting and trapping
1,710
1,249
1,061
8
8
8
Forestry and logging
100
116
125
6
7
6
Commercial fishing
972
929
724
164
181
141
Total
13,425
10,838
10,319
753
1,066
832
Mining
Coal mining
13,407
11,943
10,896
12
13
13
Oil and gas extraction
9,298
9,346
7,466
6,904
7,893
6,488
Metal ore mining
9,541
9,716
9,842
173
191
228
Other mining
261
255
255
171
163
202
Total
32,507
31,261
28,460
7,259
8,260
6,931
Manufacturing
Food, beverage and tobacco
17,538
15,721
15,363
5,387
5,961
5,905
Textile, clothing, footwear and leather
2,740
2,759
2,171
7,420
7,842
7,372
Wood and paper products
1,783
1,883
1,870
3,473
3,759
3,708
Printing, publishing and recorded media
577
585
550
2,020
2,193
2,048
Petroleum, coal, chemical and associated products
8,182
8,028
7,827
20,052
21,247
22,071
Non-metallic mineral products
332
325
300
1,472
1,630
1,608
Metal products
20,301
19,518
18,803
8,416
9,925
9,609
Machinery and equipment
16,714
15,814
14,122
59,155
66,285
66,144
Other manufacturing
944
1,176
1,217
3,767
4,199
4,401
Total
69,111
65,810
62,224
111,162
123,041
122,867
Other(a)(b)
6,066
7,571
7,903
475
763
389
Total
121,108
115,479
108,906
119,649
133,129
131,020

(a) Includes exports which cannot yet be allocated by industry of origin.
(b) Includes commodities subject to a confidentiality restriction.

Source: ABS data available on request, International Trade.


International trade price indexes

The export price index for goods (all groups) decreased by 8.2% in 2003-04 (table 30.24). In percentage terms, the largest decreases were in Beverages and tobacco (down13.5%) Mineral fuels, lubricants and other related materials (13.4%) and Miscellaneous manufactured articles (13.1%).

Between 1998-99 and 2003-04 the all groups export price index increased by 7.1%. In percentage terms, the largest increases were in Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (up 16.5%) and Manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials (15.9%).


30.24 EXPORT PRICE INDEX(a), Index numbers based on SITC

Commodity (SITC)
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04

Food and live animals
96.6
95.7
109.6
118.9
109.3
100.7
Beverages and tobacco
128.3
131.5
137.8
142.8
143.8
124.4
Crude materials, inedible, except fuels
84.0
82.6
95.7
99.0
97.0
90.0
Mineral fuels, lubricants and other related materials
119.7
127.1
162.7
164.7
160.9
139.4
Chemicals and related products, n.e.s.
96.2
102.5
119.9
113.0
100.4
97.2
Manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials
86.8
101.0
116.7
105.1
102.1
100.6
Machinery and transport equipment
97.7
98.8
104.1
105.6
100.6
89.8
Miscellaneous manufactured articles
111.7
112.5
118.4
119.2
104.5
90.8
All groups
95.7
98.0
114.8
116.7
111.7
102.5

(a) Reference year 1989-90 = 100.0.

Source: International Trade Price Indexes, Australia (6457.0).


The import price index for goods (all groups) decreased by 10.9% in 2003-04 (table 30.25). In percentage terms, the largest decreases were in Miscellaneous manufactured articles (down 13.4%) Machinery and transport equipment (13.0%) and Mineral fuels, lubricants and other related materials (10.7%).

Between 1998-99 and 2003-04 the all groups import price index decreased by 6.3%, even though the largest percentage change for a commodity was an increase of 84.0% for Mineral fuels, lubricants and other related materials.


30.25 IMPORT PRICE INDEX(a), Index numbers based on SITC

Commodity (SITC)
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04

Food and live animals chiefly for food
125.1
116.9
121.4
122.5
125.1
116.9
Beverages and tobacco
130.5
127.0
128.5
132.9
139.9
134.1
Crude materials, inedible, except fuels
119.8
124.9
139.9
124.9
123.1
112.2
Mineral fuels, lubricants and other related materials
84.9
135.4
188.0
158.4
174.9
156.2
Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes
178.2
138.5
122.6
122.1
141.0
134.9
Chemicals and related products n.e.s.
114.2
111.0
128.1
128.5
120.2
113.2
Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material
122.6
120.2
131.3
133.9
129.2
118.9
Machinery and transport equipment
121.9
119.4
129.7
128.2
118.7
103.3
Miscellaneous manufactured articles
127.9
126.1
140.0
143.0
132.1
114.4
Commodities and transactions n.e.c.
91.9
89.8
99.6
110.8
115.4
110.2
All groups
119.9
120.2
134.3
132.3
126.0
112.3

(a) Reference year 1989-90 = 100.0.

Source: International Trade Price Indexes, Australia (6457.0).



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