Queensland’s agricultural sector is benefitting from the state’s strong health response with a strong surge in growth over 2021.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said for 2021–22, the total value of Queensland’s primary industry commodities was forecast to be $20.66 billion, which was 8 per cent more than for 2020–21 and 8 per cent greater than the average for the past 5 years.
“Because the Palaszczuk Government classed agriculture as an essential industry at the start of the pandemic top-quality Queensland produce continues to be sent around Australia and overseas,” Mr Furner said.
“This remarkable 2021-22 estimate of $20.66B exceeds the high of $20.11B in 2016-17, and is the third year of consecutive growth in Queensland’s agriculture, food and fibre gross value of production.
“Record yields, strong prices and favourable conditions have provided for a positive outlook for the sector. Exceptional growth is forecast for our summer and winter crops, as well as continued growth in cattle and meat processing helps reinforce that Queensland is the right place to invest.
“The value of our high-quality wheat and barley crops is set to double, cotton and chickpea crops are forecast to increase by 30 per cent, our sorghum crop will see a 15 per cent increase, and an almost 8 per cent increase for cattle and calves.”
The largest contributors are:
- meat products (47%)
- horticulture (22%)
- sugar (9%)
- cereal products (8%).
Mr Furner urged Queenslanders to back the surging agricultural sector by getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to drive Queensland’s economic recovery and reunite families this Christmas,” Mr Furner said.
Mr Furner said while there were challenges associated with COVID the agriculture sector is in great shape and playing a key role in creating jobs in regional communities across Queensland.
“Queensland listened to the health advice and as a result our community is safe and our economy is open,” he said.
“That means we can keep delivering Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan of which agriculture is such an important part.”
The latest data can be viewed using the new “Data Farm” portal at daf.qld.gov.au/datafarm, which has replaced the biannual Queensland AgTrends publication, and provides a wider range of data. It now includes updated agtrends, and regional data as well as employment and business data.
Users can access five interactive dashboards:
- Sector overview – visual overview of employment and business trends at a sector and industry level.
- AgTrends – analysis of GVP over time and volume of production index at multiple levels.
- Exports – value and volume analysis of Queensland’s agricultural exports.
- Regions – regional gross value analysis of Queensland’s agricultural commodities.
- Labour Demand – maps seasonal labour demand for agricultural commodities.
