7501.0 - Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, Preliminary, 2004-05  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/02/2006   
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ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This publication contains preliminary information on the gross values of production for principal agricultural commodities for all states, territories and Australia. The final estimates will be released in September 2006.


SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


NATIONAL ESTIMATES

In 2004-05, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of agricultural commodities produced fell by $1.3 billion (4%) to $35.6 billion. While the gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals and livestock products both increased, these were more than offset by a significant reduction in the gross value of crops.

graph: Gross value of agricultural commodities produced



Crops

In 2004-05, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of crops decreased by 13% to $17.8 billion. Decreases in gross values were recorded for all major cereal crops except grain sorghum: wheat for grain fell by 23% to $4.3 billion; barley for grain fell by 29% to $1.2 billion; oats for grain fell by 40% to $167 million; and rice for grain fell by 47% to $96 million. These decreases were due to lower average prices coupled with unfavourable conditions leading to falls in production compared with the previous year. The gross value of grain sorghum rose by 3% to $328 million, with a decrease in price being more than offset by increased production.

Decreases were reported in the gross value of canola (down 29% to $490 million) and lupins for grain (down 31% to $191 million), with decreased production and lower average prices for both. However, increases were reported in the gross value of sugar cane cut for crushing (up 17% to $998 million), due mainly to a 12% increase in average price; and in the gross value of cotton (up 16% to $873 million), with a 57% rise in production partly offset by a fall in average price.

The gross value of pastures and grasses decreased by 19% in 2004–05 to $954 million. The gross value of crops cut for hay also decreased, down by 33% to $384 million.

The gross value of grapes fell by 11% to $1.5 billion, with a similar production level to the previous year offset by an 11% fall in average price. However, the gross value of apples rose by 48% to $543 million, with a 30% increase in production and a 14% increase in average price.


Livestock slaughterings and other disposals

In 2004-05, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals rose by 10% to $12.0 billion.

The gross value of cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals rose by 18% to $7.8 billion as a result of higher average prices.

The gross value of sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals fell by 4% to $1.9 billion. The value of domestic slaughterings fell by 2% to $1.7 billion, with an 8% decrease in average prices partly offset by a 7% rise in the number slaughtered. The value of exports of live sheep and lambs fell by 22% to $212 million, as the number exported fell 16% and average prices dropped 7%.

The gross value of pig slaughterings and other disposals rose by 3% to $906 million, with the number of total disposals falling by 5% and average prices increasing by 8%.

The gross value of total poultry disposals rose by 2% to $1.3 billion, with a 3% increase in the number of disposals partly offset by a 2% fall in average price.


Livestock products

In 2004-05, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of livestock products increased by 3% to $5.7 billion.

The gross value of wholemilk rose by 14% to $3.2 billion, with a slight rise in production and a 13% increase in average price.

The gross value of wool fell by 8% to $2.2 billion, as a result of a drop in production (down 2%) and a fall in average price (down 10%) due to weaker demand from processors and reduced competition from customers.

The gross value of egg production was unchanged at $335 million, with production increasing by 8% and average price falling by 8%.