Australia’s goods trade surplus fell to AUD 2.63 billion in January 2026 from AUD 3.37 billion in the previous month, missing market expectations of a AUD 3.9 billion surplus. The weaker outcome was driven by softer exports and a rebound in imports. Sales slipped 0.9% month-on-month to a five-month low of AUD 44.06 billion, reversing a marginally revised 0.9% rise in December. The decline was largely weighed down by lower shipments of other rural goods, likely reflecting seasonal factors and weker global demand. Meanwhile, imports rose 0.8% to AUD 41.43 billion, recovering from a revised 1.8% drop in the prior month. The increase suggests firmer domestic demand and restocking activity at the start of the year, contributing to the narrower trade surplus. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Australia recorded a trade surplus of 2631 AUD Million in January of 2026. Balance of Trade in Australia averaged 798.03 AUD Million from 1971 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 19051.00 AUD Million in June of 2022 and a record low of -3297.00 AUD Million in February of 2008. This page provides the latest reported value for - Australia Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Australia Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Australia recorded a trade surplus of 2631 AUD Million in January of 2026. Balance of Trade in Australia is expected to be 5000.00 AUD Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Balance of Trade is projected to trend around 7400.00 AUD Million in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-05 12:30 AM
Balance of Trade
Dec A$3.373B A$2.597B A$3.3B A$ 4.9B
2026-03-05 12:30 AM
Balance of Trade
Jan A$2.631B A$3.373B A$3.9B A$4.2B
2026-04-02 01:30 AM
Balance of Trade
Feb A$2.631B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 2631.00 3373.00 AUD Million Jan 2026
Capital Flows 8027.00 35974.00 AUD Million Dec 2025
Current Account -21093.00 -18340.00 AUD Million Dec 2025
Exports MoM 44059.00 44474.00 AUD Million Jan 2026
External Debt 2750722.00 2718226.00 AUD Million Dec 2025
Foreign Direct Investment 81000.00 46000.00 AUD Million Dec 2024
Imports MoM 41428.00 41100.00 AUD Million Jan 2026
Terms of Trade 116.50 113.90 points Dec 2025
Tourist Arrivals 1036660.00 831170.00 Dec 2025


Australia Balance of Trade
Australia has been recording consistent trade surpluses since 2017 due to rise in a resource exports like natural gas, metal ores and minerals, coal, coke and briquettes, and rural goods such as meat and cereals. The biggest trade surpluses are recorded with China, Hong Kong and Japan, and New Zealand while the biggest trade deficits are with the United States, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2631.00 3373.00 19051.00 -3297.00 1971 - 2026 AUD Million Monthly
SA

News Stream
Australia Trade Surplus Below Estimates
Australia’s goods trade surplus fell to AUD 2.63 billion in January 2026 from AUD 3.37 billion in the previous month, missing market expectations of a AUD 3.9 billion surplus. The weaker outcome was driven by softer exports and a rebound in imports. Sales slipped 0.9% month-on-month to a five-month low of AUD 44.06 billion, reversing a marginally revised 0.9% rise in December. The decline was largely weighed down by lower shipments of other rural goods, likely reflecting seasonal factors and weker global demand. Meanwhile, imports rose 0.8% to AUD 41.43 billion, recovering from a revised 1.8% drop in the prior month. The increase suggests firmer domestic demand and restocking activity at the start of the year, contributing to the narrower trade surplus.
2026-03-05
Australia Weighs Response as U.S. Tariffs Rise to 15%
Australia will “examine all options” after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary 15% tariff on imports from all countries. The move came less than 24 hours after the Supreme Court overturned his original 10% tariff program. Trump quickly reinstated the 10% duties under a different law before raising them again to 15%. Trade Minister Don Farrell said Sunday he was working closely with Australia’s embassy in Washington to “assess the implications and examine all options.” He added, “Australia believes in free and fair trade. We have consistently advocated against these unjustified tariffs.” Farrell is set to travel to Los Angeles this week, where he is expected to meet senior U.S. officials. The new levies are scheduled to take effect at 5:00 PM GMT on Tuesday, 24 February.
2026-02-23
Australia Trade Surplus Slightly Above Estimates
Australia’s goods trade surplus widened to AUD 3.37 billion in December 2025, up from a downwardly revised AUD 2.60 billion in November and slightly above market expectations of AUD 3.3 billion, as exports grew while imports fell. Exports rose 1.0% month-on-month to AUD 44.63 billion in December, rebounding from an upwardly revised 4.0% drop in November, largely driven by metal ores and minerals. Shipments to China, Australia’s top trading partner, surged by 14.9%, rebounding sharply from a 1.5% drop in November. Exports also increased to the UK (13.9%), Japan (6.8%), South Korea (1.3%), India (0.5%), and the US (8.8%), despite the imposition of new tariffs. In contrast, imports fell 0.8% to a three-month low of AUD 41.26 billion, steeper than the previously downwardly revised 0.2% decline, amid weaker domestic demand, mainly weighed down by other merchandise goods.
2026-02-05