7503.0 - Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2004-05  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 12/09/2006   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All



NOTES




ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This publication contains information on the value of agricultural commodities produced for all states, territories and Australia for the year ended 30 June 2005. It includes gross and local values of production and gross unit values for all major agricultural commodities. It also provides chain volume indexes from 1999-2000 to 2004-05.



INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Geoff Ellerton on Hobart (03) 6222 5856.



SUMMARY OF FINDINGS OVERVIEW


OVERVIEW

The gross value of total Australian agricultural production fell by $1.4 billion (or 4%) to $35.6 billion in 2004-05.


Most of the fall was due to the decrease in the value of crops (down by 13% to $17.8b). The gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals rose by 10% to $12.0b and the value of livestock products increased by 3% to $5.7b in the same period.


The most valuable agricultural commodities in 2004-05 were cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals (up 18% to $7.8b), wheat (down 23% to $4.3b), whole milk (up 14% to $3.2b), wool (down 8% to $2.2b) and sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals (down 4% to $1.9b).

Value of production for selected agricultural commodities - 2004-05
Graph: Value of production for selected agricultural commodities—2004–05




CROPS

The gross value of crops for 2004-05 was $17.8b, a fall of 13% from the previous year. There were significant decreases in average prices despite the reported decrease in supply of many principal winter crops, with resultant falls in their estimated value.


The gross value of broadacre crops fell by 19% to $11.6b. Significant decreases in average prices combined with reduced production to result in notable decreases in the gross values of wheat (down 23% to $4.3b), barley (down 30% to $1.2b) and canola (down 27% to $503m). Increases were recorded for sugar cane cut for crushing (up 15% to $980m) and cotton (up 26% to $945m).


The gross value of fruit and nut crops rose by 5% to $4.1b. Decreases were recorded for grapes (down 11% to $1.5b), strawberries (down 10% to $122m) and mandarins (down 17% to $111m). Increases were recorded for apples (up 44% to $529m), bananas (up 14% to $327m) and oranges (up 31% to $310m).


The gross value of vegetable crops fell by 9% to $2.1b in 2004-05, principally from the decreased value of production of tomatoes, potatoes, onions and capsicums, chillies and peppers. Potatoes were the highest value vegetable crop despite the gross value decreasing by 10% to $434m. Increases were recorded for mushrooms (up 10% to $242m) and carrots (up 11% to $166m). Decreases were recorded for tomatoes (down 42% to $163m) and onions (down 6% to $144m).



LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERINGS AND OTHER DISPOSALS

The gross value of livestock slaughtered for 2004-05 was $12.0 billion, an increase of 10% from the previous year. Most livestock categories reported slightly more disposals, together with increased prices.


The gross value of cattle and calves slaughterings and other disposals rose by 18% to $7.8b, mainly due to an increase in average price. The gross value of live meat cattle exports fell by 3% to $342m in 2004-05.


The gross value of sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals fell by 4% to $1.9b. A 4% rise in slaughter numbers was more than offset by a decrease in the average price (down by 8% to $61 per head). The value of live sheep exports decreased by 22% to $210m.


The gross value of pig slaughterings and other disposals rose by 3% to $906m. The average price rose by 8% to $170 per head in 2004-05.


The gross value of poultry slaughterings and other disposals rose by 2% to $1.3b. The average price fell by 2% to $2.83 per bird.



LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS

The gross value of total livestock products rose by 3% to $5.7b in 2004-05, with a decrease in the gross value of wool more than offset by the increased value of whole milk production. Wool decreased by 8% to $2.2b, with a 10% drop in the average price. The gross value of whole milk rose by 14% to $3.2b, while eggs fell by 2% to $328m.



MARKETING COSTS

Total marketing costs accounted for $3.0b or 9% of the total gross value of agricultural production in 2004-05.


Marketing costs represent the difference between gross and local values. Although there are difficulties in obtaining complete information on marketing costs (which include freight, cost of containers, commission and other marketing charges), the information provides a perspective on the marketing costs of major commodities. Significant differences in the marketing costs for individual commodities may occur as a result of different marketing arrangements.


Marketing costs for crops were $2.0b, or 11% of the gross value of production for crops. Marketing costs among selected crops were: wheat, $726m (or 17% of gross value); barley, $121m (or 10% of gross value); bananas, $95m (or 29% of gross value); potatoes, $61m (or 14% of gross value); tomatoes, $38m (or 23% of gross value); and grapes, $61m (or 4% of gross value).


Marketing costs for livestock slaughterings and other disposals were $874m or 7% of the total gross value of these commodities. For cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals, these costs were estimated at $611m (8% of gross value), and for sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals, $183m (9% of gross value).


Marketing costs for livestock products were $170m or 3% of the total gross value of these commodities. For wool, these costs were $130m (6% of gross value) and for eggs, $40m (12% of gross value). As whole milk is collected at the farm gate by the processor, marketing costs are not calculated for this commodity.



SUMMARY OF FINDINGS STATES AND TERRITORIES


OVERVIEW

In 2004-05, New South Wales ($8.6b) had the highest value of agricultural production of all the states and territories, followed by Victoria ($8.4b), Queensland ($8.3b), Western Australia ($5.1b), South Australia ($3.9b), Tasmania ($903m), the Northern Territory ($317m) and the Australian Capital Territory ($17.2m).



NEW SOUTH WALES

The gross value of agricultural production in New South Wales rose slightly to $8.6b in 2004-05. This represented 24% of the total gross value of Australian agricultural production.


The gross value of crops fell by 4% to $4.4b. This was due to decreased production of principal crops combined with lower prices. Decreases in gross value were recorded for most of the major cereal crops including wheat (down 8% to $1.4b), barley (down 22% to $252m), canola (down 15% to $143m) and oats (down 40% to $59.5m). Cotton was the only significant crop to show an increase in gross value (up 30% to $526m). Grapes decreased by 7% to $300m, while the gross value of rice decreased by 44% to $99.6m. The gross value of oranges increased by 34% to $111m.


The gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals increased by 10% to $2.8b. For the major livestock categories, cattle and calves rose by 24% to $1.6b, sheep and lambs were down by 5% to $493m, while pigs fell by 1% to $276m. Poultry decreased by 5% to $450m.


The gross value of livestock products fell by 5% to $1.3b. Wool production decreased in value by 8% to $775m, while the gross value of whole milk rose by 2% to $401m, and the gross value of eggs fell by 11% to $90.1m.



VICTORIA

The gross value of agricultural production in Victoria in 2004-05 decreased by 3% to $8.4b. This represented 24% of the total gross value of Australian agricultural production.


The gross value of crops decreased by 19% to $3.3b. This was due to decreased production of principal crops combined with lower prices. Some of the more significant decreases in gross value occurred in wheat (down 44% to $370m), barley (down 46% to $207m) and cereal crops for hay (down 68% to $52.9m). The gross value of potatoes fell by 27% to $97.6m.


The gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals increased by 6% to $2.5b. Cattle and calves increased by 12% to $1.3b, sheep and lambs decreased by 3% to $675m, and poultry increased by 6% to $395m. Pigs slaughterings decreased by 2% to $150m.


The gross value of livestock products increased by 15% to $2.6b mainly as a result of an increase in the value of whole milk (up 21% to $2.1b), which was largely due to an 18% increase in average price. Wool fell 4% to $473m. The gross value of eggs increased by 4% to $92.0m.



QUEENSLAND

The gross value of agricultural production in Queensland in 2004-05 increased by 8% to $8.3b. This represented 23% of the total gross value of Australian agricultural production.


The gross value of crops (including pastures and grasses) remained steady at $3.7b. The gross value of cotton increased by 21% in 2004-05 to $419m, with a 29% reduction in average price being more than offset by a 71% increase in production. The gross value of sugar cane rose by 18% to $917m due mainly to a 12% rise in average price. A rise in both production and average price saw the gross value of bananas increase by 14% to $291m.


The gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals increased by 17% to $4.2b. Cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals rose by 18% to $3.6b, with a 14% increase in average price. Sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals decreased by 12%, to $49.9m. Poultry rose by 8% to $223m, while pigs rose by 14% to $235m.


The gross value of livestock products increased by 3% to $411m. The gross value of wool rose by 28% to $124m. The gross value of whole milk fell by 5% to $217m, while eggs decreased by 5% to $70.2m.



SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The gross value of agricultural production in South Australia in 2004-05 decreased by 14% to $3.9b. This represented 11% of the total gross value of Australian agricultural production.


The gross value of crops decreased by 20% to $2.6b. The gross value of wine grape production decreased by 15% to $664m, reflecting a 13% fall in the average wine grape price and a 3% fall in production. The gross value of wheat decreased by 32% to $531m, reflecting a 10% fall in the average price and a 25% fall in production. The gross value of barley fell by 33% to $304m. The gross value of potatoes rose by 7% to $122m.


The gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals rose by 6% to $840m. Sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals fell by 4% to $304m, while cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals increased by 14% to $277m.


The gross value of livestock products decreased by 8% to $501m due mainly to a decrease in the gross value of wool (down 18% to $267m). The value of whole milk rose by 3% to $204m and eggs rose by 39% to $30.0m.



WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The gross value of agricultural production in Western Australia in 2004-05 decreased by 18% to $5.1b. This represented 14% of the total gross value of Australian agricultural production.


The gross value of crops decreased by 25% to $3.4b. There was a decrease in the gross value for both wheat (down 27% to $1.8b) and barley (down 19% to $436m). The gross value of lupins for grain fell by 33% to $147m, while canola decreased by 26% to $168m.


The gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals rose by 5% to $1.2b. Cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals rose by 17% to $572m. Sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals fell by 5% to $380m.


The gross value of livestock products decreased by 11% to $625m. The gross value of wool decreased by 12% to $490m, while the gross value of whole milk decreased by 3% to $108m.



TASMANIA

The gross value of agricultural production in Tasmania in 2004-05 increased by 5% to $903m. This represented 3% of the total gross value of Australian agricultural production.


The gross value of crops fell slightly to $385m. The gross value of potatoes remained steady at $75.5m, while the value of apples rose by 37% to $44.6m. Onions decreased by 29% to $24.0m and carrots increased by 2% to $22.9m. The gross value of grapes decreased by 18% to $14.8m.


The gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals increased by 17% to $259m. Cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals increased by 25% to $188m, while sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals decreased by 2% to $45.8m.


The gross value of livestock products rose by 4% to $259m. A fall in production and average price saw a decrease in the gross value of wool (down 17% to $64.5m). The gross value of whole milk increased by 15% to $185m.



TERRITORIES

The gross value of agricultural production in the Northern Territory in 2004-05 was $317m, a rise of 8% over the previous year. Livestock slaughterings and other disposals increased by 4% to $249m. The total value of crops was $65.4m, up by 25%, with the value of mangoes increasing by 48% to $30.9m.


The gross value of agricultural production in the Australian Capital Territory in 2004-05 fell by 10% to $17.2m.