7503.0 - Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2015-16 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/07/2017   
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MEDIA RELEASE

7 July 2017
Embargo: 11.30am (Canberra Time)
83/2017

The value of agricultural production continues to rise

The total value of Australia’s agricultural production continues to rise, breaking another record during the 2015-16 year and peaking at $56 billion, according to Agricultural Census data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).


ABS Director of Environment and Agriculture Statistics, Lauren Binns said the growth in the value of Australia’s agricultural production in 2015-16 had again been driven by increases in the value of livestock products.

“The value of Australia’s livestock disposals continues to increase, up 10 per cent to $20.6 billion compared to 2014-15,” Ms Binns said. “Beef was again the largest contributor to this rise, despite fewer animals heading to the saleyards, with strong price rises both domestically and internationally.”

Data collected from around 104,000 businesses ranging from beef cattle production to broadacre farming and vineyards has produced a picture of Australia’s agricultural sector.

The Agricultural Census also showed that the most valuable crop types were wheat ($6.2 billion), fruit, nuts and grapes ($5.6 billion) and vegetables ($3.6 billion).

Results were mixed for broadacre cropping.

“Nationally, the gross value of broadacre crops decreased by 4.8 per cent to
$15.4 billion. Most states recorded decreases, with Victoria and South Australia in particular down 28.5 per cent and 22.8 per cent respectively.

The ABS greatly appreciates the support of the agricultural sector in supplying this data and our government and industry partners for their input to the production of these statistics.

Further details can be found in Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia (2014-15) (cat. no 7503.0) available for free download from the ABS website www.abs.gov.au

Media note:

· Media contact: For more information and interview opportunities, phone 1300 175 070 or email media@abs.gov.au