Commodity exports: Australia will earn more
ABARES forecast
Sales from Australia's commodity exports are seen growing to $255 billion in the next 12 months to be driven by growing world demand, a report of the Bureau of Agricultural & Resource Economics & Sciences (ABARES) said today.
Australia, still world's largest commodity exporter especially of steel grade coal, wool and other iron ore materials, is seen advancing 14 percent in the next fiscal year beginning 30 June 2011.
However, the Canberra-based statistics and research government agency, has adjusted its estimates of commodity earnings for the current fiscal year by 4.5 percent to A$220.6 billion from $211.1 billion announced in December.
The continuing global demand to fill up requirements for energy and food from Brazil to China are seen to give top Australian exports more boost in the near term, the research bureau said.
In a related Bloomberg report, Paul Morris, deputy executive director at the bureau, was quoted: "On the minerals and energy side we are seeing very good prices for iron ore, coal, oil,
Top Australian mining companies BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have announced that higher output may be needed to fulfil the export demand from importers China and Brazil, among others.
The ABARES also noted that agriculture exports of the county have been estimated to grow A$32.5 billion in the next fiscal year. The tight supply situation globally, on the other hand, lessened the impact of the typhoons that damaged local crops in Queensland. The government agency ABARES, estimated that export sales of agricultural commodities would be higher by another A$1 billion to A$31.2 billion.