Australia’s seasonally adjusted trade surplus widened to AUD 2.83 billion in September from AUD 184 million in August, nearly triple economists’ AUD 940 million forecast, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Exports rose 2.3% month over month to AUD 48.43 billion, while imports declined 3.3% to AUD 45.61 billion, led by a AUD 1.10 billion, or 34.7%, fall in non-monetary gold. Export growth reflected higher shipments of other mineral fuels, metals excluding non-monetary gold, metal ores and minerals, and rural goods, including an 11.3% rise in meat exports, partly offset by a 3.5% decline in coal shipments. Separate reporting described September imports as rising more than 13% to A$45.2 billion, the second-highest monthly total after August’s record, and said Australia’s annual trade surplus was on track for its lowest level in a decade as data-center chip and server purchases, imports from China and higher energy costs increased pressure.