Queensland’s agriculture sector delivered a surge in exports to record a record high of $12.51 billion for the last financial year.
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) marked the second consecutive year of increasing exports, cementing the industry’s position as a vital contributor to the state’s economy.
The $12.51 billion figure was a 16.8 per cent increase over the previous financial year, representing an increase of $1.79 billion.
The ABS data shows the total export value of the state’s agriculture sector has surged by an impressive 25.16 per cent compared to the average value of the past five financial years.
The record-breaking export levels were underpinned by robust prices and a surge in export volumes, which lifted by 18.26 per cent to reach 7.87 million tonnes.
Key growth commodities for 2022/23 were:
– Cereals and Cereal preparations up 53.64 per cent to $2.54 billion.
– Chickpeas up 37.26 per cent to $369.12 million.
– Live Cattle up 53.94 per cent to $147.96 million, accompanied by a 9.83% increase in export volume.
– Beef up 11.05 per cent to $6.28 billion, with volume up 7.38% to 598,765 tonnes.
– In the horticulture sector the volume of fruit and vegetables exported rose 3.25 per cent.
Avocados were a notable winner, with exports up 38.5%er cent to $38.21 million, with volume up 24.09 per cent.
In 2022-23, Queensland’s top three agricultural trading partners were China ($2.73 billion), South Korea ($1.82 billion), and Japan ($1.71 billion).
Key markets where exports of Queensland agricultural products increased were:
China: Up a remarkable 53.5 per cent in value.
Indonesia: Up 40.1 per cent.
USA: Up 19.9 per cent.
Vietnam: Up 19.6 per cent.
South Korea: Up 13.2 per cent increase.
The latest Queensland export data can be viewed in an interactive dashboard at www.daf.qld.gov.au/datafarm
Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said it was a great boost for the state.
“Queensland’s global reputation for clean, green and great-tasting produce is serving the state well, and this reputation is backed up by Queensland farmers every single day,” Mr Furner said.
“In Queensland that means good jobs for more than 360,000 people and a real driving force behind the state’s economic performance.
“The Queensland Government will continue to back our farmers, and I’m certain our agricultural industries will continue to go from strength to strength,” he said.
