South Australia’s exports hit record levels last year, reaching $17.9 billion for the 12 months ending in November 2023.
South Australia’s share of national exports is just over three per cent for the year. Australian merchandise exports declined by 3.6 per cent to $562.4 billion in the same period.
SA Trade Minister Nick Champion said exports have topped the nation for the fourth consecutive month, up 12 per cent on the previous year.
“Importantly we have seen growth across a number of sectors and industries as South Australia continues to punch above its weight and outperform the rest of the nation,” he said.
“Our entire state continues to benefit from the hard work of our farmers and growers who are sending our world class produce to major international markets.”
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China remains SA’s largest export destination with the year-on-year figure up 46 per cent to $3.2 billion.
Premier Peter Malinauskas visited the region in September, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with President Xi Jinping on his trip to China.
South Australia has welcomed the recent removal by China of trade impediments on products such as barley, with the SA Government advocating for eased export restrictions on lobster, while wine tariffs are currently under review.
Increased demand by China for South Australian barley has seen it reach a record $218 million in exports in the year ending November 2023, compared to $111 million for the year ending October 2023.
Prior to the imposition of trade impediments in the 2021-22 financial year, South Australian hay exports to China were worth approximately $33 million.
“The stabilisation of the relationship between Australia and China continues and South Australia’s commitment to ongoing partnerships and collaboration with the region remain following visits to China by both the Premier and the Prime Minister,” Champion said.
“We greatly value the efforts of both the State and Federal Government, to ensure our state and importantly our producers have a strong trading partnership with China.”
India became South Australia’s fourth largest export market, with export growth of 24 per cent to $1.1 billion for the year ending November 2023. This coincides with Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion’s mission to India last year which was the first visiting delegation by a South Australian Minister since 2017.