Australia Export Prices Drop 4.5% in Q2

Australia's export prices fell by 4.5% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2025, reversing a 2.1% rise in Q1 and marking the first decline in three quarters.

The main contributors to the contraction were metalliferous ores and metal scrap (-9.0%), driven by international trade uncertainty and ongoing weakness in the Chinese property sector; and coal, coke, and briquettes (-10.4%), reflecting falling thermal and metallurgical coal prices.

Declines were also seen in gas, natural, and manufactured (-4.4%), due to lower petroleum gas prices amid expanding global supply, led by new US capacity.

Offsetting the decreases were gold, non-monetary (+12.1%), supported by continued strong demand as a safe-haven asset and further central bank reserve building; and meat & meat preparations (+2.8%), boosted by strong US demand for Australian beef as US cattle herd numbers remain at historic lows.

Through the year to Q2, export prices fell by 3.3%, following a 4.7% drop in Q1.