According to an ABARE report released today, LNG exports were up $806 million (18 percent) to $5222 million, while earnings from coking coal were down $1916 million (11 percent) to $15 087 million, and steaming coal down $445 million (6 percent) to $6761 million.

However, the decline in earnings from coal was due to exchange rates shifts and falls in the price of coking coal, rather than a decline in the volume of exports, ABARE said.

Crude oil exports were also up 25 percent, reaching $1675 million, but Australia remains a net importer of crude and refined oil.

Uranium oxide exports also rose in the quarter, up $114 million (21 percent) to $660 million.