Biggest Exporting Industries in Australia in 2026

• 1. Iron Ore Mining in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $116.8B

  Iron ore miners have faced difficult trading conditions because of easing iron ore prices over the past few years, despite the nation maintaining its status as the world's largest iron ore supplier and benefiting from proximity to Asian markets. However, modest growth in production volumes has partly offset revenue declines. Industry revenue is expected to have sunk at an annualised 1.7% over the five years through 2024-25, to $131.5 billion. Easing iron ore prices, driven primarily by a slow...

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• 2. Oil and Gas Extraction in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $82.5B

  Oil and gas producers have experienced significant revenue volatility. Changes in oil and gas prices, exchange rate movements, annual production volumes, and domestic and export demand for oil and gas all influence the industry’s performance. Output has expanded over the past decade, while world oil and natural gas prices have displayed significant volatility.

  Australia's natural gas production, which comprises most of the industry, has soared over the past decade as new gas fields hav...

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• 3. Coal Mining in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $77.1B

  Coal is a key input in steelmaking and energy generation. Although coal deposits are found all over the world, Australia is one of the world's lowest-cost producers and a major coal exporter. Domestic reserves exceed domestic demand, are high grade and are economical to access. As a result, exports account for a large share of coal mining revenue. Imports are negligible, as local production is higher than domestic demand for coal. Black coal mining accounts for most activity, with some brown ...

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• 4. Liquefied Natural Gas Production in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $72.6B

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• 5. Agribusiness in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $66.6B

  The Agribusiness sector continues to expand, driven by strong export markets, rising domestic meat prices and technological advancements. Key commodities, including beef, wheat, barley, dairy and wine, remain integral to global supply chains, with China, Japan and the United States among major buyers. While geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties pose risks, diversification into ASEAN and Indian markets is helping mitigate these challenges. The Agribusiness sector is also shifting to...

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• 6. Gold and Other Non-Ferrous Metal Processing in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $23.7B

  The Gold and Other Non-Ferrous Metal Processing industry has grown substantially in recent years. Uncertain economic environments have increased the global appetite for gold bullion, benefiting domestic processors like Gold Corporation and Pallion tremendously. High inflation and interest rates cast doubts on the possibility of a soft landing for the United States and the broader global economy. The resulting concerns saw purchases of investment-grade gold surge, driving the commodity's price...

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• 7. Meat Processing in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $20.9B

  The Meat Processing industry’s export performance has been robust, driven by strong global demand and underpinned by extensive free trade agreements. Revenue is anticipated to have climbed at an annualised 3.0% over the five years through 2024–25 to reach $30.7 billion. Despite a newly imposed tariff in the significant US market, the industry is expected to strategically pivot towards growing demand in Europe, the Middle East and South-East Asia, leveraging new trade deals. Domestically, evol...

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• 8. Grain Growing in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $16.9B

  The Grain Growing industry has fluctuated in recent years following weather conditions, global grain prices and crop supplies volatility. Revenue is on track to grow at an annualised 11.0% over the five years through 2024-25, reaching $21.5 billion, including 9.6% growth in the current year. Improved rainfall from consecutive La Niña events earlier in the period supported higher output volumes, with wheat and barley yields hitting record highs in 2022-23. However, softer prices for wheat and ...

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• 9. Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc Smelting and Refining in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $7.8B

  The Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc Smelting and Refining industry has faced volatile conditions over recent years due to volatile pricing and refineries generating a high proportion of industry revenue by providing refining and smelting services to mining companies as a third-party service. As mining companies can export ore concentrate overseas to be refined, industry firms that service mining companies need to be price and service competitive. Industry volumes and revenue are greatly influen...

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• 10. Copper Ore Mining in Australia

  Imports for 2026: $6.6B

  Copper ore mining revenue is expected to have increased at an annualised 4.1% over the five years through 2024-25, to $10.9 billion. This robust growth is thanks to higher copper prices and strengthened demand growth from China for copper used in construction, communications and manufacturing. China's commitment to clean energy – particularly in the solar panels, electric vehicles (EVs), and batteries sectors – has significantly escalated the country's demand for copper.  Highly advanced econ...

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