The line graph compares the proportions of Australian exports directed to four selected countries – Japan, the US, China, and India – over a period of 22 years. Overall, China emerged as by far the leading destination for Australian exports over the period, while India remained the smallest market in most years.
In 1990, Japan was Australia’s main trading partner, accounting for roughly 27% of the country’s total exports. Similarly, the share of exports to the US stood at just over 10%. Meanwhile, the figures for China and India were much lower, at around 3% and 2% respectively.
Between 1990 and 2010, the share of Australian exports to China rose dramatically, reaching a peak of 25% and increased slightly further to 27% by 2012, maintaining its position as the dominant destination. Exports to India followed a similar upward trend, climbing to 8% by 2010 before declining slightly to just 6% by the end of the period. In contrast, exports to Japan and the US gradually fell to around 17% and 5% respectively, remaining at this level for the rest of the period.