South Australia’s export performance has again topped the nation, growing 15% in the 12 months to June to $12.362 billion.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics trade figures also show overseas goods exported from South Australia have exceeded $1 billion for each of the past seven months.

Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said South Australian exporters continue to outperform the nation despite a challenging environment.

“South Australian exporters have exceeded the $12 billion mark for a 12-month survey for the fifth consecutive month,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“That’s more than $12 billion a year flowing into the South Australian economy to support jobs and investment.

“South Australia’s15% growth in the 12 months to June compares more than favourably to the national growth rate of 11%.

“South Australia’s export growth has again outpaced Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria. In New South Wales and Tasmania, exports again fell.”

“Our exporters are defying the unfavourable exchange rate and lower commodity prices to continue to post growth in our key markets.

“Our agribusiness, miners and manufacturers are all continuing to seize opportunities in world markets.

“This Government is keen to ensure our exporters are able to capture an increased market share in the regional power houses of China and India as well as South East Asia.

“Our India and China engagement strategies are already in place and a consultation process has begun to develop a similar approach to engaging with the South East Asian region.

“South Australian exporters are also well placed to make the most of free trade agreements recently signed with Japan and South Korea that will reduce barriers to Australian exports.”

South Australia’s 15% growth in the 12 months to June compares outpaced 14% for Western Australia and the Northern Territory, 10% for Victoria and 1.1% for Queensland. Exports from New South Wales fell 1.1% while Tasmanian exports were down 8.8%.