Following successive deficits in international merchandise trade between 1995-96 and 1999-2000, Australia recorded two years of trade surplus. In 2001-02, increases were recorded for both exports (1.4% to $121.2b) and imports (1.2% to $119.7b), resulting in a surplus of $1.5b. This was the highest financial year surplus recorded since 1991-92 ($4.0b). Table 30.19 and graph 30.20 show the period since 1995-96.
30.19 TOTAL MERCHANDISE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS
|
| Exports | Imports | Excess of exports or imports(a) |
| $m | $m | $m |
|
1995-96 | 76,005 | 77,792 | -1,787 |
1996-97 | 78,932 | 78,998 | -66 |
1997-98 | 87,768 | 90,684 | -2,916 |
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 | 121,176 | 119,681 | 1,495 |
|
(a) A negative sign indicates that imports exceed exports. |
Source: International Merchandise Trade, Australia (5422.0). |