OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES

At 30 June 2013 there were an estimated 806 businesses nationally with agricultural holdings that reported a level of foreign ownership. These represented less than 1% of all businesses with agricultural holdings, which was a similar proportion to 2010.

Of the businesses that reported a level of foreign ownership, nearly half reported they were more than 50% foreign-owned.

Of the states and territories, Tasmania had the lowest level of foreign ownership of agricultural businesses, with 0.4% of its businesses reporting a level of foreign ownership. The Northern Territory had the highest level of foreign ownership of agricultural businesses, with 3.5% of its businesses reporting a level of foreign ownership.

The proportion of businesses in each state and territory that were wholly Australian-owned is illustrated in the map below.


The majority of businesses with a level of foreign ownership were concentrated in the sheep, beef cattle and grain farming (ANZSIC 014) industry. This industry contained 39% of the businesses with a level of foreign ownership.

The fruit and tree nut growing (ANZSIC 013) industry contained 26% of the businesses with a level of foreign ownership. The ‘all other industries’ ANZSIC group contained 18% of the businesses with a level of foreign ownership.

The proportion of wholly Australian-owned businesses by industry is illustrated by the graph below.