THE value of exports from the big mining states of Western Australia and Queensland surged last year but overseas demand for resources was not enough to lift trade performance in South Australia and Tasmania.
The outcome has revised the nation's trade league table, as Queensland overtakes NSW as the second biggest exporter, mostly as a result of higher coal prices and greater beef shipments, The Australian Financial Review reports.
The federal government analysis excludes the slip in exports in the September quarter but the report for the year to last June is in line with estimates for a strong rise in commodity exports in 2009-10.
The figures come as Trade Minister Simon Crean heads overseas at the end of this week to attempt a breakthrough with his overseas counterparts on the faltering Doha round of free trade talks.
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