DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE
AUSTRALIA

D1

21 January 1999

Composition of Trade Australia 1997-98 - Release of publication

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade today released the 1997-98 edition of the publication Composition of Trade, Australia. This authoritative publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the growth, direction and commodity breakdown of Australia's merchandise trade in recent years. Individual reports show the detailed composition of trade with all major partners and regions over the past five years.

Highlights of trade in 1997-98 include a 13 per cent increase in the value of Australia's merchandise trade to $178.4 billion, with exports increasing by I I per cent to $87.8 billion and imports increasing by 15 per cent to $90.7 billion. Australia recorded a merchandise trade deficit of $2.9 billion in 1997-98.

Also included in the 1997-98 issue is a feature article on the ongoing impact of the economic crisis in East Asia on Australian merchandise exports.

Copies of this publication can be purchased, for $40, by contacting the Market Information and Analysis Unit on:
phone (02) 62613114, or
fax (02) 62613321.

Orders can also be placed via the Departmental website at http://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/statistics.html