COMMENTARY
IMPORT PRICE INDEX
The Import Price Index fell 0.8% in the September quarter 2014. This fall was driven mainly by falls in the prices paid for petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (-3.7%) and miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s. (-3.0%).
Through the year to the September quarter 2014, the Import Price Index fell 1.1%. This fall was driven mainly by falls in the prices paid for petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (-1.5%), telecommunications and sound-recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (-3.5%), general industrial machinery and equipment, n.e.s., and machine parts, n.e.s. (-2.6%), miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s. (-4.1%), gold, non-monetary (excluding gold ores and concentrates) (-8.8%) and manufactures of metals, n.e.s. (-4.9%). Partly offsetting these through the year falls were rises in the prices paid for essential oils and resinoids and perfume materials; toilet, polishing and cleaning preparations (+12.5%) and fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof (+12.6%).
Major Import Products
Australia's major import products based on contribution are;
- Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (SITC 33) (-3.7%)
- Road vehicles (incl. air-cushion vehicles) (SITC 78) (+0.2%)
- General industrial machinery and equipment, n.e.s., and machine parts, n.e.s. (SITC 74) (0.0%)
- Electrical machinery, etc. and parts thereof (SITC 77) (+1.3%)
- Telecommunications and sound recording equipment and reproducing apparatus and equipment (SITC 76) (+1.5%).
EXPORT PRICE INDEX
The Export Price Index fell 3.9% in the September quarter 2014. This fall was driven mainly by falls in the prices received for metalliferous ores and metal scrap (-10.9%), coal, coke and briquettes (-5.2%), petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (-5.1%), and gold, non-monetary (excluding gold ores and concentrates) (-2.2%). These falls were partly offset by rises in the prices received for gas, natural and manufactured (+4.7%), non-ferrous metals (+6.9%), and meat and meat preparations (+6.3%).
Through the year to the September quarter 2014, the Export Price Index fell 9.5%. This fall was driven mainly by falls in the prices received for metalliferous ores and metal scrap (-23.8%), coal, coke and briquettes (-19.8%), gold, non-monetary (excluding gold ores and concentrates) (-7.9%), cereal and cereal preparations (-6.0%), and other transport equipment (-11.8%). Partly offsetting these through the year falls were rises in the prices received for gas, natural and manufactured (+22.5%), meat and meat preparations (+21.4%), non-ferrous metals (+11.3%) and dairy product and birds' eggs (+13.5%).
Major Export Products
- Metalliferous ores and metal scrap (SITC 28) (-10.9%)
- Coal, coke and briquettes (SITC 32) (-5.2%)
- Gas, natural and manufactured (SITC 34) (+4.7%)
- Gold, non-monetary (excluding gold ores and concentrates) (SITC 97) (-2.2%)
- Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (SITC 33) (-5.1%).