7121.0 - Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2002-03

Drought hits agriculture hard in 2002-03

Effects from the severe drought have hit agricultural production hard in 2002 - 03, according to figures from the Agricultural Survey released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Most harvests were well below average in 2002 - 03 and the reported numbers were down for all categories of livestock. Major findings from the survey are included below.

Harvest production:

Wheat production fell by more than half (down 58% to 10.1 million tonnes). New South Wales (down 69% to 2.5 million tonnes) suffered the largest fall of all the states and territories, followed by Western Australia (down 48% to 4.0 million tonnes).
Barley production also fell by more than half (down 53% to 3.9 million tonnes), despite a 4% increase in plantings. All major growing states reported significant decreases in production levels.
Most major vegetable crops recorded decreases in production - potato production fell 6% to 1.2 million tonnes; tomato production fell 14% to 364,000 tonnes; and carrot production fell 8% to 306,000 tonnes.
It was a mixed season for fruit production - grape production fell 15% to 1.5 million tonnes; banana production fell by 15% to 265,000 tonnes; while orange production rose by 33% to a near record high of 599,000 tonnes.

Graph:Wheat Production, Australia, 1903 to 2003

Livestock production:

Recording its lowest level since 1947, total sheep and lamb numbers fell 7% to 99.3 million. New South Wales recorded the largest fall in numbers (a loss of 4.8 million or down 12%), followed by Queensland (a loss of 1.9 million or down 29%) and Victoria (a loss of 961,000 or down 5%).
Meat cattle numbers fell nationally by 5% to 23.6 million, while milk cattle numbers fell by 3% to 3.0 million.

Graph: Numbers of Sheep and Lambs, Australia, 1903 to 2003

Further details are in Agricultural Commodities, Australia 2002–03 (cat. no. 7121.0).

Media note: Selected long term series information from the Agricultural Survey are available on the ABS web site under 'Themes' off the home page and within the 'Agriculture' link.

This page last updated 8 December 2006

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Main Features About this Release Analysis of Agriculture Survey Coverage, 2001-2002 (Feature Article) Drought hits agriculture hard in 2002-03 (Media Release)	Drought hits agriculture hard in 2002-03 Effects from the severe drought have hit agricultural production hard in 2002 - 03, according to figures from the Agricultural Survey released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Most harvests were well below average in 2002 - 03 and the reported numbers were down for all categories of livestock. Major findings from the survey are included below. Harvest production: Wheat production fell by more than half (down 58% to 10.1 million tonnes). New South Wales (down 69% to 2.5 million tonnes) suffered the largest fall of all the states and territories, followed by Western Australia (down 48% to 4.0 million tonnes). Barley production also fell by more than half (down 53% to 3.9 million tonnes), despite a 4% increase in plantings. All major growing states reported significant decreases in production levels. Most major vegetable crops recorded decreases in production - potato production fell 6% to 1.2 million tonnes; tomato production fell 14% to 364,000 tonnes; and carrot production fell 8% to 306,000 tonnes. It was a mixed season for fruit production - grape production fell 15% to 1.5 million tonnes; banana production fell by 15% to 265,000 tonnes; while orange production rose by 33% to a near record high of 599,000 tonnes. Livestock production: Recording its lowest level since 1947, total sheep and lamb numbers fell 7% to 99.3 million. New South Wales recorded the largest fall in numbers (a loss of 4.8 million or down 12%), followed by Queensland (a loss of 1.9 million or down 29%) and Victoria (a loss of 961,000 or down 5%). Meat cattle numbers fell nationally by 5% to 23.6 million, while milk cattle numbers fell by 3% to 3.0 million. Further details are in Agricultural Commodities, Australia 2002–03 (cat. no. 7121.0). Media note: Selected long term series information from the Agricultural Survey are available on the ABS web site under 'Themes' off the home page and within the 'Agriculture' link. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window. This page last updated 8 December 2006

Australian Bureau of StatisticsCelebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013