SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
NATIONAL ESTIMATES
In 2006-07, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of agricultural commodities produced was $34.2 billion, a fall of 10% (or $3.6 billion) on the previous year.
The value of crops fell by 20%, only slightly offset by the increased gross values of livestock slaughterings and other disposals (up by 3%), and livestock products (up by 1%) in 2006-07.
GROSS VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES PRODUCED: Preliminary, 2006-07
Crops
The preliminary estimate of the gross value of all crops in 2006-07 decreased by 20% to $16.0 billion, largely as a result of drought conditions.
Decreases were reported for all the major cereal crops, except grain sorghum. The value of wheat fell by 51% to $2.5 billion; barley fell by 30% to $1.0 billion; oats for grain fell by 32% to $174 million; and rice fell by 80% to $51 million. The decreased values were mainly due to significantly reduced production, partially offset by increases in average prices. The value of grain sorgum increased by 2% to $292 million, as production fell by 32% and the average price increased by 49% due to reduced supply.
Decreased values were also recorded for canola (down 59% to $202 million) and lupins for grain (down 53% to $125 million), again with lower production partially offset by increased average prices. The value of sugar cane cut for crushing rose by 12% as increased prices more than offset the fall in production. Cotton reported a 46% decrease in value to $514 million as production fell by 50% and the average price increased by 9%.
In 2006-07, the gross value of hay increased by 13% to $1.6 billion, despite a 35% fall in production. Average prices rose by 73% due to the general shortage of stock feed.
The gross value of grapes decreased by 16% to $1.1 billion in 2006-07, as production fell by 22% and average prices rose by 9% due to reduced supply.
Production of apples fell by 2% and average prices increased by 35%, resulting in a 32% increase in value to $475 million in 2006-07.
Livestock slaughterings and other disposals
In 2006-07, the preliminary estimate of the gross value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals was $12.3 billion, an increase of 3% over the previous year.
The total number of cattle and calves slaughterings and other disposals in 2006-07 rose by 9%, but average prices fell by 4%, resulting in a 4% increase in gross value to $8.0 billion.
The gross value of sheep and lambs slaughterings and other disposals fell by $57 million (or 3%) to $2.1 billion in 2006-07. Whilst the total number of sheep and lamb disposals increased by 8%, average prices decreased by 10%.
In 2006-07, the gross value of pigs slaughterings and other disposals rose by 6% to $944 million, with the number of total disposals falling marginally (by 1%) and average prices increasing by 7%.
The gross value of poultry disposals rose by 6% to $1.3 billion as production increased by 3% and average prices rose by 2% in 2006-07.
Livestock products
The preliminary estimate of the gross value of livestock products in 2006-07 was $5.9 billion, an increase of 1% over the previous year.
The gross value of wool production rose by 9% to $2.3 billion, as production fell by 6% and average prices increased by 16%. Production of shorn wool fell by 7%, but production of skin wool increased by 9% as more sheep and lambs were slaughtered in 2006-07.
In 2006-07, the gross value of wholemilk decreased by $165 million (or 5%) to $3.2 billion as production decreased (by 5%) due to residual drought conditions, and average prices remained unchanged.
The gross value of Australian egg production in 2006-07 was $398 million. Production of eggs increased by 1% and average prices rose by 12% resulting in an increase of $45 million (or 13%).
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