The Port Authority of Valencia’s Statistical Bulletin for June highlights notable growth in trade over the past six months with three key regions: the Red Sea, the Baltic States, and Australia.
The shifts in shipping routes due to the ongoing war crisis have driven increased traffic in the Red Sea and Baltic regions. Australia’s growth, however, is attributed to strengthened trade relations between Valenciaport and the southern nation.
Specifically, Australian trade has shown significant growth in recent months. For example, in June 2024, exports increased by 13.75% compared to the same period in 2023, following rises of 2.8% in May and 4.2% in April.
Moreover, Valenciaport currently maintains trade relations with 11 Australian ports: Adelaide, Brisbane, Burnie, Dampier, Darwin, Devonport, Esperance, Fremantle, Gladstone, Melbourne, and Sydney.
The main exports to these ports include construction materials, machinery, tools, spare parts, foodstuffs, and wines/beverages. So far this year, Australia has received 33,888 tonnes of construction materials, 6,860 tonnes of machinery and tools, 6,984 tonnes of foodstuffs, and 5,295 tonnes of wines and beverages via the Valencian docks.
In contrast, imports from Australia to Valencia mainly consist of fruit, vegetables, and pulses, totalling 4,793 tonnes in the first half of 2024.
Additionally, 1,557 tonnes of minerals and 1,100 tonnes of cereals and flours were imported. Despite this robust trade, natural gas imports from Australia have ceased in 2024, dropping from 4,643 tonnes in 2023 to nearly zero this year.
