Australian state sets record export amid growing trade with China

CANBERRA -- South Australian exports have risen to a record high on the back of a boost in trade with China.

According to the Australian state government data on Wednesday, the total value of exports from South Australia in the 12 months to the end of February exceeded 17 billion Australian dollars ($11.3 billion) for the first time in history.

The figure represents an increase of 3.6 billion Australian dollars ($2.4 billion), or 27 percent, from the previous 12 months.

The growth was largely driven by an increase in iron ore, refined copper and wheat exports to China.

The Australian state government praised the "steady turnaround and stabilization of Australian-Chinese relations" in a media release.

Nick Champion, SA's minister for trade and investment, said "our growing trade ties with China" backed by the biggest harvest on record and the work being undertaken by the government to stabilize the relations has helped achieve this "incredible result" for the state's economy.

South Australia had a record crop harvest of 12.8 million tons, with the value of wheat exports increasing 65 percent and that of canola and lentil exports by more than 100 percent.