New figures show agriculture is booming despite floods

Senator the Hon Murray Watt
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Despite devasting floods across five states, Australian agriculture has had an outstanding 12 months according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said today’s release of the ABARES Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports showed high yields for winter crops and strong agricultural commodity exports were driving the industry forward.

“ABARES has forecast agricultural production to be $85 billion in 2022-23, almost the same record level that was set the previous year,” Minister Watt said.

“Australian agricultural exports have benefitted from the amazing crop yields and high commodity prices and are forecast to break records at over $72 billion in 2022-23.

“While heavy rain and flooding has impacted our eastern states, other parts of the country are experiencing their best winter crop on record.

“Total production in Western Australia and South Australia are both forecast to reach new record levels and Queensland is forecast to reach the second highest on record, despite parts of the Darling Downs being impacted by the floods early in the growing season.

“New South Wales and Victoria continue to be impacted by heavy rainfall, flooding and waterlogging so the crop harvest progress and grain quality in those states are uncertain.

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