Media Release
Exports of the metal nickel – a key input in steel
manufacturing - are estimated to have increased by almost a
third to $8.5 billion in 2007, according to analysis undertaken
by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The data showed that nickel exports increased from $6.4
billion in 2006 to $8.5 billion last year – a rise of
32.3 per cent by value.
Australia exports nickel in a range of forms: smelted ingots
(Nickel ores and concentrates and Nickel mattes and
sinters) which are classified as processed and unprocessed
primary products; nickel rods and bars (Nickel and nickel
alloys unworked) classified as Simply transformed
manufactures (STM); and more highly processed nickel products
(Nickel and nickel alloys worked) classified as
Elaborately transformed manufactures (ETMs).
Primary destinations for Australian nickel were China, the
European Union and Japan. Most nickel exports originated
in Western Australia.
The analysis is contained in Exports of Primary and
Manufactured Products, Australia 2007, one of DFAT's
trade data series which reports on Australian-produced exports,
eliminating re-exported goods.
It shows that Australian produced merchandise exports
increased by 3.5 per cent to $161.4 billion, and accounted for
96.1 per cent of total exports, in 2007.
The publication is part of a series published each year by
DFAT that provides comprehensive information on
Australia's international trade in goods and
services. DFAT also offers a customised consultancy
service, producing reports tailored to specific
requirements. For further information please contact (02)
6261 3114, or fax (02) 6261 3321 or email statssection@dfat.gov.au
The analysis and summary tables, and an order form for this
publication (and others in the series) are available online at: /publications/statistics.html. Hard copy orders can also be placed at this site.