FED: Australian produce exports up four pct in 1998

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-1999
FED: Australian produce exports up four pct in 1998

Exports of Australian produce increased by four per cent to $84.3 billion in 1998.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says primary products continued to dominate
Australian exports, accounting for 58 per cent of merchandise exports last year, down from 68
per cent 10 years ago.

Exports of primary products dropped one per cent last year.

Exports of unprocessed primary products were unchanged at $32.6 billion but exports of
processed primary products fell four per cent to $16.5 billion.

The department says the share of exports taken by Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group
countries, Australia's principal regional market, fell five per cent to 70 per cent or $58.9
billion.

But the share of exports to North American Free Trade Agreement countries jumped two per
cent to 11 per cent or $9.1 billion.

Japan remained the single largest export market, taking 20 per cent, or $17.3 billion, of
total merchandise exports with the US the second largest market with exports rising 32 per
cent to $7.6 billion.

Trade Minister MARK VAILE says some less traditional markets performed well last year with
exports to the Middle East, for example, topping $4 billion for the first time.

AAP RTV msl/shm/jn

KEYWORD: PRODUCE (CANBERRA)

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