Tasmania reports strong fruit,veg export figures

The value of Tasmanian fruit and vegetable exports has grown strongly, adding 58.1 percent to total…

The value of Tasmanian fruit and vegetable exports has grown strongly, adding 58.1 percent to total $89 million. Overall, the value of Tasmania’s merchandise exports to overseas markets increased by 12.3 per cent in the year up until the end of June, state Treasury analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed. That took the total to $2.85 billion, Treasury said.

National merchandise exports dropped by 4.4 per cent in the same period.

Massive growth in export values to China - particularly for non-ferrous metals and seafoods – helped drive the improvement. The Treasury said China and Hong Kong combined accounted for 34.6 per cent of Tasmanian exports during the year.

That was up by 51.9 per cent ($337 million) on the previous year.

There was also major growth in sales to the US; Tasmania’s fourth-biggest export market. Exports to the US were up by 66.9 per cent ($83 million) for the year.

Sales to the third biggest market, Malaysia, also grew strongly.

However, sales to No. 2 market Taiwan and No. 5 market Japan were down significantly.

Treasury said the value of Tasmanian exports fell from 2011 until mid-2015, but had increased since in year-average terms.

The vast majority of Tasmanian exports ($2.606 million worth) went to APEC countries during the year. Just $59 million worth went to EU countries.

Tasmania’s major export sectors for the year, in order, were non-ferrous metals, “other and confidential,” metallic ores and metal scraps, meat, seafood, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, paper and paperboard, vehicles including vessels and textiles.