7121.0 - Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2012-2013 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 30/05/2014   
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MEDIA RELEASE
30 May 2014
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
62/2014
Canola breaks records in 2012-13

Canola saw its second year at a record high in 2012-13, with production increasing by 21 per cent to 4.1 million tonnes, and value increasing by 29 per cent to $2.3 billion, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Cherie Poulton, Director of Agriculture statistics at the ABS said "Changeable growing conditions resulted in mixed results for crops in 2012-13."

"Although canola production was up, the production of wheat and barley declined due to dry seasonal conditions.

"It wasn't all bad news though, although wheat crops were down 24 per cent to 22.9 million tonnes, the value of wheat increased by 6 per cent to $7.2 billion. Similarly, barley production fell 9 per cent to 7.5 million tonnes, but barley value was up 20 per cent to $2.1 billion.

"Sugar cane production increased 5 per cent to 27.1 million tonnes, however sugar cane value decreased slightly to $1.1 billion.

"Although cotton yields increased on last year, overall production fell by 8 per cent to 894,000 tonnes, and value was down by 19 per cent to $1.9 billion.

"We also saw similar mixed fortunes across horticultural commodities. Apple production remained steady at 289,000 tonnes, but value decreased by 5 per cent to $441 million, whereas orange production rose 3 per cent to 401,000 tonnes, coupled with an increase in value of 15 per cent to $346 million.

"Both dairy and meat cattle numbers increased by 4 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. However the value of all cattle and calves was down by 1 per cent to $7.7 billion.

"Sheep numbers were up by 1 per cent to 75.5 million, however prices dropped, resulting in a decrease in value of 23 per cent to $2.2 billion,” said Ms Poulton

Further information is available in Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2010-11 (cat. no. 7121.0), and Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced (cat. no. 7503) and available for free download from the ABS website www.abs.gov.au



Media Note:
· When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
· The 2012-13 Rural Environment and Agricultural Commodities Survey (REACS) produces data for a range of agricultural commodity items, including broadacre cropping, horticultural production, livestock production, industry activity and land use management.