Australia posted a seasonally adjusted merchandise trade surplus of A$555 million in April, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday.
That was well shy of forecasts for a surplus of A$2.0 billion following the A$3.107 billion surplus in March.
Imports were down A$171 million or 1.0 percent on month to A$30.035 billion.
Intermediate and other merchandise goods fell A$198m (2 percent), non-monetary gold fell A$153m (27 percent) and consumption goods fell A$102m (1 percent).
Capital goods rose A$130m (2 percent). Services debits rose A$152m (2 percent).
Exports skidded A$2.784 billion or 8.0 percent to A$30.590 billion.
Non-rural goods fell A$2,497m (12 percent), non-monetary gold fell A$373m (20 percent) and rural goods fell A$73m (2 percent).
Net exports of goods under merchanting climbed A$3m (8 percent). Services credits rose A$156m (2 percent).
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