6457.0 - International Trade Price Indexes, Australia, Mar 2011 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 20/04/2011   
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COMMENTARY


IMPORT PRICE INDEX

The Import Price Index increased by 1.4% in the March quarter 2011. This increase was driven mainly by rises in the prices paid for petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (+14.2%) and chemical materials and products, n.e.s. (+11.1%). Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices paid for road vehicles (including air-cushion vehicles) (-1.3%), office machines and automatic data-processing machines (-2.8%) and medicinal and pharmaceutical products (-2.4%).

Through the year to March quarter 2011, the Import Price Index increased by 0.2%. This increase was driven mainly by rises in the prices paid for petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (+18.3%), gold, non-monetary (excluding gold ores and concentrates) (+12.9%), non-ferrous metals (+13.5%), gas, natural and manufactured (+16.5%) and fertilisers (excluding crude) (+24.4%). Partly offsetting these through the year rises were falls in the prices paid for telecommunications and sound-recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (-11.5%), office machines and automatic data-processing machines (-10.9%) and road vehicles (including air-cushion vehicles) (-3.5%).


EXPORT PRICE INDEX

The Export Price Index increased by 5.2% in the March quarter 2011. This increase was driven mainly by rises in the prices received for metalliferous ores and metal scrap (+7.4%), petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (+20.7%), coal, coke and briquettes (+3.7%), non-ferrous metals (+5.6%), meat and meat preparations (+7.7%), textile fibres and their wastes (+18.2%), cereals and cereal preparations (+5.9%), gas, natural and manufactured (+4.1%), medicinal and pharmaceutical products (+7.9%), sugars, sugar preparations and honey (+15.1%) and oil seeds and oleaginous fruits (+13.9%). Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices received for dairy products and birds' eggs (-5.6%).

Through the year to March quarter 2011, the Export Price Index increased by 21.0%. This increase was driven mainly by rises in the prices received for metalliferous ores and metal scrap (+51.4%), coal, coke and briquettes (+27.2%), gold, non-monetary (excluding gold ores and concentrates) (+12.9%) and gas, natural and manufactured (+14.8%). Partly offsetting these through the year rises were falls in the prices received for professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s. (-16.0%), power-generating machinery and equipment (-4.4%), beverages (-4.0%) and road vehicles (including air-cushion vehicles) (-5.6%).