In seasonally adjusted terms, the Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday revealed the trade surplus rose 133% from $417 million in December to $970 million in January.

However, non-rural good exports fell 8% or $1.32 billion in the month, with coal products accounting for 79% of the dive in that category.

The bureau said the coal, coke and briquettes component of non-rural goods exports fell by $1.04 billion (19%) in the month from December.

The ABS said the growth in the surplus was mainly due to a strong fall in goods and services imports, especially capital goods, which fell 15% in the month to $802 million.