Australian airfreight numbers improve in December

Australia exported 25,000 tonnes of goods by air in December, which was above the trendline of 22,000 tonnes, the latest Maritrade figures showed.

Meanwhile, products imported to Australia by aircargo totalled at 35,000 tonnes – 2000 tonnes above the trendline.

Maritrade director David Bendall said the increase in exports and imports indicated that "things were getting back to normal", particularly imports, which had been hard hit by the global financial crisis.  

Exports in December fell from the same period last year, when Melbourne recorded an "extraordinary" rise in perishables, Mr Bendall said.  

Nevertheless, airfreight exports for the full calendar year rose 17% to 153,000 tonnes.

"Brisbane did well, with meat exports putting in a strong performance," Mr Bendall said.

Imports for December were nearly 30% higher than the 27,000 tonnes it recorded in the previous year.

However, total imports for the calendar year were dragged lower by declines in machinery, appliances, clothing, cameras and instruments.  

The decline in imports was limited by the slight increases in perishables, such as seafood, fruit and vegetables.