SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


NATIONAL ESTIMATES

The gross value of total Australian agricultural production decreased by $2.4 billion (or 6%) to $36.1 billion in 2006-07.

Most of the fall in value was due to the decrease in the value of crops (down by 14% to $17.9 billion), as production was affected by drought conditions in many areas. However, the gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals rose by 3% to $12.3 billion as farmers de-stocked due to drought. The value of livestock products increased by 1% to $5.8 billion in the same period.

The most valuable agricultural commodities in 2006-07 were cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals ($8.0 billion, up 4%), cereals for grain ($4.4 billion, down 42%), fruit and nuts, excluding grapes ($3.5 billion, up 33%), whole milk ($3.2 billion, down 5%), vegetables ($3.1 billion, up 10%) and wool ($2.3 billion, up 11%).

Crops

In 2006-07 the decrease in the gross value of crops from the previous year was due to significant decreases in production of most crops, although there were increases in some average prices.

The gross value of broadacre crops fell by 27% to $10.2 billion. The extent of the fall in production levels resulted in notable decreases in the gross values of wheat (down 49% to $2.6 billion), barley (down 27% to $1.0 billion), cotton (down 46% to $507 million), canola (down 52% to $227 million) and lupins (down by 50% to $125 million), despite significant increases in average prices. Sugar cane cut for crushing recorded an increase (up 18% to $1.2 billion), as did chickpeas (up 145% to $137 million).

The gross value of pasture, cereals and other crops cut for hay increased by 12% to $1.6 billion in 2006-07 as increased average prices more than offset the 36% fall in production.

In 2006-07 the gross value of fruit and nut crops rose by 16% to $4.6 billion. A decrease was recorded for grapes (down 17% to $1.1 billion), but most of the major fruit commodities reported increased values, including: bananas (up 100% to $860 million), apples (up 35% to $484 million), oranges (up 13% to $311 million) and strawberries (up 18% to $201 million).

The gross value of vegetable crops rose by 10% to $3.1 billion in 2006-07, principally from the increased value of production of tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, mushrooms, onions and carrots. Potatoes were the highest value vegetable crop (up 11% to $514 million) followed by tomatoes (up 8% to $296 million), lettuces (up 78% to $283 million) and mushrooms (up 6% to $260 million). Increases were also recorded for onions (up 31% to $190 million) and carrots (up 1% to $158 million). In contrast the gross value of capsicums fell by 19% to $139 million.


Livestock slaughterings and other disposals

In 2006-07 the gross value of livestock slaughtered was up by 3% to $12.3 billion, with increases reported for cattle, poultry and pigs.

The gross value of total cattle and calves slaughterings and other disposals was up by 4% to $8.0 billion. This was mainly due to an increase in the number of animals presented to market (up 9%) since average prices for meat cattle fell by 5%. In addition, the gross value of live meat cattle exports increased by 9% to $504 million in 2006-07.

In 2006-07 the gross value of total sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals fell by 3% to $2.1 billion. This was mainly due to a 10% decrease in average price, which was only partially offset by an 8% rise in slaughtering numbers. The value of live sheep exports also fell, down by 2% to $291 million in 2006-07.

The gross value of pig slaughterings and other disposals was up by 6% to $944 million. Although the number of disposals fell by 1%, the average price increased by 7% in 2006-07.

The gross value of poultry slaughterings and other disposals was up by 6% to $1.3 billion in 2006-07, as production increased by 3% and the average price increased by 2%.


Livestock products

The final estimate of the gross value of livestock products in 2006-07 was $5.8 billion, up 1% on the previous year.

In 2006-07 the value of total wool production increased by 11% to $2.3 billion, as production decreased by 3% and the average price rose by 15%. Production of shorn wool fell by 5% whilst production of skin wool increased by 9% as more sheep and lambs were slaughtered in 2006-07.

The gross value of whole milk fell by 5% to $3.2 billion in 2006-07, due to reduced production since average prices remained stationary.

In 2006-07 the gross value of Australian egg production was up by 3% to $388 million. While average egg prices increased by 8%, production fell by 4% over the same period.


Marketing Costs

Total marketing costs accounted for $2.7 billion or 8% of the total gross value of agricultural production in 2006-07.