Mainland China paid $1.026 billion for Tasmanian export goods in the year to the end of January.

That was an increase of $377 million on the previous year, state Treasury analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics original terms figures showed.

Sales to China were worth 30.5 per cent of Tasmania’s total of $3.366 billion worth of merchandise exports sent overseas.

That was without counting Hong Kong, which was the 11^th biggest market, taking $122 million worth.

Referring to the increase in sales to mainland China and Hong Kong, Treasury said: “The primary drivers were increased exports of seafood, non-ferrous metals, confidential (items) and paper and paperboard.”

China is also Tasmania’s biggest source of international visitors.

Tourism Tasmania figures showed Tasmania had 34,600 visitors from China (up by 40 per cent) and 27,900 from Hong Kong (up 33 per cent) in the year to September.

The US was the second biggest market (or the biggest if China and Hong Kong were counted separately), with 39,900 visitors (up by 25 per cent).

Treasury found nine of Tasmania’s top 10 export markets were Asian, with the US the exception.

The US took $185 million worth of Tasmanian goods during the year.

Malaysia ($304 million) was Tasmania’s second biggest market, followed by Japan ($268 million).

Mining remained easily Tasmania’s biggest overseas export earner.

Non-ferrous metals accounted for $1.508 billion worth of exports and metallic ores and metal scraps $418 million.

Between them, they accounted for 57.2 per cent of the value of all merchandise exports overseas.

Other big categories were:

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