2025.10.3000:38:29UTC+00Australia Q3 Import Prices Drop for 2nd Straight Quarter

In the third quarter of 2025, Australia's import prices experienced a decline of 0.4% compared to the previous quarter. This drop surpassed market predictions of a 0.3% reduction and showed a slowdown from the 0.8% decrease observed in the second quarter. This represents the second quarter in a row that import prices have fallen. Significant factors contributing to this decrease include a 3.4% reduction in telecommunications equipment prices, as existing models were brought in at lower costs, and a 2.6% decline in general industrial machinery and equipment, attributed to the strengthening of the Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar. Prices for coffee, tea, cocoa, and related products also fell by 9.2%, following a reversal in cocoa prices, which are now on the rise again due to improved supply from regions like West Africa and Ecuador. Counterbalancing these declines were increases in petroleum product prices by 3.5%, driven by growing demand in the U.S. and concerns over supply from the Middle East; fertilizers, which rose by 10.4% due to tight global supply and strong agricultural demand; and gold, which saw a 3.1% increase as investors showed interest amid ongoing economic uncertainty.