Recorded 248 market access achievements, including 32 new markets and 118 improvements to existing markets
Australia’s agriculture, fisheries, and forestry production is forecast to reach a record value of more than $100 billion this financial year. This milestone is a credit to the hard work, resilience, and skill of farmers, backed by strong collaboration with Australia. On National Agriculture Day, Australia acknowledges and success of world-class farmers and producers as the industry heads towards a record-breaking year.
Australia has partnered with industry to create new economic opportunities for farmers by expanding export markets, strengthening biosecurity, boosting productivity, and providing support for farmers facing hardship. Since coming to office, Australia has recorded 248 market access achievements, including 32 new markets and 118 improvements to existing markets, supporting Australian farmers to export more world-class produce to the world.
In just the last three months, these achievements have included securing access for Australian blueberries to Vietnam, improving market access for apples to Canada, and signing a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for organic produce with India.
Australia is developing a National Food Security Strategy, Feeding Australia. This strategy aims to provide a long-term, whole-of-system plan to boost the productivity, resilience, and security of our national food system.
Australia has announced members of the National Food Council, which will advise the government on the development of the strategy. While many of our farmers and producers are succeeding, Australia will continue to back farmers who are facing hardship, including those recently impacted by drought.
Australia has a range of national programs for farmers to access, including Farm Management Deposits, accessing the Rural Financial Counselling Service for support, seeking a concessional loan via the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC), and, when people have taken a significant financial hit, accessing the Farm Household Allowance.
Earlier this year, Australia announced an additional $1 billion in new loan funding through RIC. This funding will ensure RIC can continue to support long-term viable farm businesses experiencing hardship.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Julie Collins MP said “Enabling farmers to access new markets, planning for a food-secure future, and making sure farmers have the right support when they need it mean our farmers can keep farming. We will keep delivering for our farmers, who deliver so much for Australia. It’s shaping up to be a record-breaking year for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry production, which is a real testament to the ingenuity of our farmers.”
Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm said, “Australia’s food system is world-class, and we maintain a global reputation as a producer of safe, nutritious, and high-quality food. It’s thanks to farmers and primary producers right across our great country who work tirelessly to provide us with food and fibre every day. Backing our farmers, and through our National Food Security Strategy, we’re developing a roadmap that safeguards our agriculture and gets better outcomes for our farmers, consumers, and our regional communities.”
