THE total value of Australian agri-food exports has increased for the seventh consecutive year, up by $3.9 billion to almost $50 billion according to Rural Bank\u2019s 2016\/17 Australian Agriculture Trade Performance report.<\/p>\n
This upsurge in export value is predominantly due to the bumper year for Australia\u2019s grains and fibre exports, which resulted in the cropping export value rising by $3.7 billion last year alone.<\/p>\n
Cropping overtook beef and cattle as the most valuable agricultural export sector in 2016\/17, thanks to a 49 per cent increase in production, more than offsetting lower export prices for wheat and coarse grains.<\/p>\n
Australian wheat exports to India rose by 920 per cent after wheat tariffs were reduced, while Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam all bought significantly more Australian wheat.<\/p>\n
Volumes of Australian canola increased by 85 per cent with strong European demand also giving a boost to prices.<\/p>\n
Legume volumes were also up 85 per cent over the past 12 months, with subcontinent markets soaking up this extra volume.<\/p>\n
Conversely, beef and cattle export values declined by $1.8 billion, as supply tightened and competition from USA and Brazil heated up in Asian markets.<\/p>\n
The value of dairy exports also fell by 1.3 per cent over the year, with production declining across Australia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE total value of Australian agri-food exports has increased for the seventh consecutive year, up by $3.9 billion to almost $50 billion according to Rural Bank\u2019s 2016\/17 Australian Agriculture Trade Performance report. This upsurge in export value is predominantly due to the bumper year for Australia\u2019s grains and fibre exports, which resulted in the cropping […]<\/p>\n