7501.0 - Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, Preliminary, 2003-04  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/01/2005   
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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 2005.


SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


NATIONAL ESTIMATES

In 2003-04, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of agricultural commodities produced increased by 12% to $36.6 billion. Recovery from drought in many regions saw production levels increase significantly compared with the previous year. This led to large increases in gross values for many of the principal crops. In comparison, the gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals increased only slightly, while the gross value of livestock products fell.

Graph of gross value of selected agricultural commodities, 2004



Crops

In 2003-04, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of crops increased by 30% to $20.2 billion. Increases in gross value were recorded for all major cereal crops: wheat for grain rose by 112% to $5.7 billion; barley for grain rose by 77% to $1.7 billion; grain sorghum rose by 11% to $334 million; oats for grain rose by 40% to $293 million; and rice for grain rose by 6% to $162 million. These increases were due to significant increases in estimated production, since average prices for these commodities all decreased compared with the previous year.

Increases were reported in the gross value of canola (up 76% to $685 million) and lupins for grain (up 34% to $284 million), with increased production and lower average prices for both. However, decreases were reported in the gross value of sugar cane cut for crushing (down 17% to $848 million), due mainly to a 16% fall in average price; and in the gross value of cotton (down 19% to $694 million), due mainly to a 20% fall in production.

The gross value of pastures and grasses increased by 25% in 2003–04 to $1.2 billion. The gross value of crops cut for hay also increased, up by 48% to $538 million.

The gross value of grapes rose by 21% to $1.7 billion, with a 33% increase in production partly offset by a 9% fall in average price. The gross value of apples fell by 8% to $352 million, with a 23% decrease in production partly offset by a 20% increase in average price.


Livestock slaughterings and other disposals

In 2003-04, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals rose slightly to $10.9 billion.

The gross value of cattle and calves slaughterings and other disposals rose by 4% to $6.7 billion. An easing of drought conditions saw total disposals fall by 8%. However this was more than offset by a 12% increase in average price resulting from strong overseas demand for beef.

The gross value of sheep and lambs slaughterings and other disposals remained steady at $2.0 billion. The value of domestic slaughterings rose by 9% to $1.8 billion, with a 12% fall in numbers slaughtered more than offset by a 23% increase in average price. In contrast, the value of Australian exports of live sheep and lambs decreased by 35% to $270 million, as a result of reduced numbers exported.

The gross value of pig slaughterings and other disposals fell by 4% to $878 million, with disposals falling by 3% and average price down marginally on the previous year.

The gross value of poultry slaughterings and other disposals remained steady at $1.3 billion, with both disposals and average price remaining relatively unchanged from last year.


Livestock products

In 2003-04, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of livestock products fell by 14% to $5.5 billion, driven largely by a drop in the gross value of wool.

The gross value of wool fell by 28% to $2.4 billion, as a result of both a drop in production (down 8%) and a fall in average price (down 22%) due to weaker demand.

The gross value of milk remained steady at $2.8 billion, with a 2% drop in production offset by a 3% increase in average price. The gross value of egg production rose by 11% to $326 million, with production up by 6% and average price up by 4%.