- Queensland Ag sector set to reach second highest value on record in 2024-25
- Beef and sugar remain highest value Queensland commodities
- Agriculture sector at risk from David Crisafulli and the LNP's nuclear plans
The value of Queensland's agricultural sector is projected to boom to a second highest ever valuation of $23.56 billion in 2024-25.
New AgTrends figures released today show a promising year ahead, despite challenges such as declining cattle prices, drier conditions and major natural disasters in 2023-24 leading to a valuation of $22.1 billion for the year.
The valuation remains higher than the five-year average and showcases the resilience of Queensland agriculture, with a corresponding supply chain value estimated at $33.88 billion.
Cattle and calves once again took the gold medal as Queensland's highest-valued commodity in 2023-24, contributing $5.71 billion to the state's economy.
Meanwhile meat processing ($2.40B) and sugarcane ($2.06B) took the silver and bronze positions respectively.
Macadamias led the top five highest growing commodities in 2023-24, followed by chickpeas, sugarcane, apples and strawberries.
The macadamia mania was largely led by the Bundaberg region, which dominated the state's production of the "Queensland nut".
Toowoomba was the best performing region in 2023-24 with a Gross Value of Production (GVP) worth $1.27 billion, followed by the Western Downs ($951M) and Bundaberg ($899M).
Hinchinbrook experienced the highest growth in GVP (29%), followed by Douglas (24%), Mackay (23%), Burdekin (19%) and Cairns (12%).
Queensland's valuable and vital agriculture sector is under threat from David Crisafulli and the LNP's nuclear power plan.
If the LNP gets their way, approximately 3,440 farms will be within the fallout zone of the LNP's handpicked reactor sites in Queensland, putting our state's first-class food and fiber in danger of contamination.
As stated by Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:
"Queensland's food and fiber is the best in the world, and our primary producers have showed remarkable resilience in delivering a bumper 2023-24 despite challenging conditions.
"While Queensland is officially drought free, conditions were drier overall leading to tougher conditions for growers and graziers.
"In parts of the state, Severe Tropical Cyclones Jasper and Kirrily created further challenges.
"Our traditional titans of beef and sugar remain a cornerstone of the Queensland economy, and it's great to see strong growth for many growers, particularly for macadamias, sugar, chickpeas, apples and strawberries.
"The future is bright with a second-highest value on record projected for the Ag sector in 2024-25.
"Queensland agriculture is under serious risk from the LNP. David Crisafulli is too weak to stand up to Peter Dutton and his own party on nuclear, which would be a disaster for our state.
"The LNP wants to install the thirstiest form of energy on the world's driest inhabited continent, taking water away from our farmers.
"We should be watering our plants – not Peter Dutton's nuclear plants that will become a frightening reality under David Crisafulli.
"Meanwhile the Miles Government backs Queensland's primary producers.
"We say no to nuclear and we'll continue to support farmers through initiatives such as our Rural Economic Development (RED) Grants, Rural Agricultural Development (RAD) Grants and joint Commonwealth and State Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements."
Highest GVP in 2023-24 by LGA ($): Toowoomba $1.27 billion Western Downs $951 million Bundaberg $899 million Burdekin $735 million Cassowary Coast $727 million
Highest GVP growth in 2023-24 by LGA (%): Hinchinbrook 29% Douglas 24% Mackay 23% Burdekin 19% Cairns 12%
Highest commodities growth in 2023-24 (%): Macadamias 86.3% Chickpeas 37.1% Sugarcane 32.7% Sugar processing 23.9% Apples 7.4%
For the latest AgTrends statistics visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' DataFarm website
