South Australia’s total copper exports have hit a record $5.2 billion in the 12 months to April 2026.
South Australia treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said copper exports records will only continue to grow.
“We know that global demand for copper could remain buoyant long into the future and, with two thirds of Australia’s proven copper deposits, South Australia is incredibly well-placed to meet this demand,” Koutsantonis said.
“We’re doing everything in our power to seize this significant opportunity – our new Indenture agreement with BHP could help unlock a world-class copper province in South Australia.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the state’s copper exports consisted of $3.35 billion from copper and copper products, and $1.85 billion from copper ores and concentrates.
The $3.35 billion figure for refined copper and copper products is up $542.6 million on the previous 12 months, almost 20 per cent up on already sustained high export values.
The state’s total goods exports reached a record high of $18.24 billion, exceeding February’s record of $18.19 billion by 11 per cent.
Notably, grain exports were also up 12.8 per cent to $2.98 billion.
South Australia minister for defence and space industries Chris Picton said the state’s record exports are to be commemorated, and the State Government must continue to work closely to build exports across a broad range of trading partners.
“Our state is increasingly becoming a global supplier of the critical minerals needed for the energy transition and the technologies shaping the future,” Picton said.
“The rapid economic growth of the Southeast Asian region, in particular, is a significant opportunity for South Australian businesses, with the region now accounting for more than 40 per cent of all copper exports.”
The largest trading markets for South Australia copper exports are India ($1.32 billion), Malaysia ($1.3 billion), China ($1.17 billion), Thailand ($459.9 million), and Taiwan ($380.1 million).
Southeast Asia remains a key growth market, which takes in over 40 per cent ($2.27 billion) of all copper exports.
“Through our recent trade mission to the region and the establishment of a new trade and investment manager in Vietnam, our government is building a more resilient and more diversified export economy, creating jobs and investment here at home,” Picton said.
