In its August issue of the international trade in goods and services, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a seasonally adjusted surplus of $2.3 billion, an increase of $603 million on the revised surplus in July.

However, total exports in August fell 1.2% to $19.4 billion on seasonally adjusted terms, with exports of non-rural goods shedding $145 million to $16.9 billion.

According to the ABS, the fall was mainly due to metal ores and minerals, which fell $646 million, or 10%, to $5.9 billion.

This was partly offset by a $360 million, or 10%, increase in coal, coke and briquettes to $4.1 billion during August.

Meanwhile, imports of consumption goods gained $42 million to $5.5 billion, while imports of capital goods fell $127 million to $4.1 billion.