Imports
The Northern Territory (NT) exported $13.1 billion in goods in the 2023-2024 period.
Japan is the largest export market for NT goods, followed by China (excluding SARs and Taiwan), Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Indonesia.
The NT has recorded a trade surplus for over a decade, mainly due to high value exports related to energy and mineral products.
In 2023-24, the NT had the second highest level of exports as a share of gross state product (GSP), consistent with the other mining states of Western Australia and Queensland, which highlights the resource-intensive nature of the NT economy.
The NT’s trade balance mainly consists of goods, with service imports contributing 17.1% to total imports and service exports contributing 5.9% to total exports.
In year-average terms to March 2025:
- The NT's value of imports rose by 22.8% to $2.9 billion.
- The largest import markets were Singapore (up by $283 million to $662 million), Malaysia (down by $118 million to $467 million), and the United States of America (up by $235 million to $359 million).
- Main commodities imported to the NT were petroleum and petroleum-related products (38%), confidential items (16.2%) and transport equipment (excl. road vehicles) (9.8%).
Exports
The Northern Territory Government is focused on supporting the NT’s export sector. The Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations directly supports industry with a range of grant programs and through the implementation of trade policy to support exporters.
The department advocates on behalf of the NT export sector at national trade related government forums and promotes Territory businesses and opportunities on international trade delegations.
The NT is a proven exporter of:
- livestock and premium agricultural products
- seafood including wild-caught and aquaculture species
- minerals and energy
- defence and aerospace capabilities
- education, tourism and professional services.
The Northern Territory further supports exporters through the Global Trade Scheme grant program and via the TradeStart program.