Tasmanian Government Media Release - 18 June 2009
Tasmania's latest food industry scorecard shows significant growth in the agricultural and fisheries sectors. Tasmania produces a large net food surplus - almost 70 % of food produced in Tasmania is sold interstate or overseas. The Tasmanian Food Industry Scorecard reveals that growth in agricultural and fisheries production in 2005-06 and 2006-07 has been about 2.5 times the long term trend.
In that time-frame, farmgate and beachpoint sales increased by some $263 million or by 27%. The gross value of food sales for 2006-07 is an impressive $3.8 billion; which is the collective value of overseas exports, net interstate trade and domestic sales. It's been a period of exceptional growth for salmon, dairying, vegetables, lamb, cherries, apricots and wine production, in particular. The recent increase in production looked like being maintained into 2007-08 with salmon production up by $12 million and dairy up by $98 million. However, while a complete data set is not available for 2008-09, dairy prices have fallen by about 30% and there will be substantial impacts of the drought and late season frosts on the agricultural sector in that data set.
The Tasmanian Food Industry Scorecard reports that total interstate food sales now approach $1.3 billion while overseas exports are worth $0.5 billion a year. The significant growth in production has largely been directed towards interstate markets with growth upwards of $266 million. Major contributors to that result were sales of salmon, dairy and vegetables. The increased market opportunities interstate have resulted in a significant change to Tasmania's customer base. The domestic market prices have been higher and more stable for many of Tasmania's food items.
Food sales in Tasmania remain strong: up by $79 million and underpinned by continued strong tourism. It is estimated that on average about 20,000 visitors are eating out in Tasmania every day.
More facts and figures are now located on the DPIW website: http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/CART-76FVXV?open