Northern Australia has been highlighted as a potential food bowl at this year’s Global Food Forum.
Yesterday Josh Frydenberg, Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia presented his thoughts on the strength of Australian agriculture and opportunities for growth in the country’s north.
“We are a trading nation and we have a relatively small population but we have enormous natural endowments,” said Frydenburg.
“By 2016-17, our farm exports are expected to reach $45 billion, up 23 per cent from 2011-12,” he added.
The Minister went on to emphasise the agricultural output from Northern Australia, stating that in the last agricultural census year, the gross value of agricultural production in Northern Australia was $5.2 billion, and over 55 per cent of Australia’s exports were shipped from northern ports in 2012-13.
Frydenberg also mentioned Northern Australia’s high mango and banana output, and the trial introduction of new products including soya, beans, chia, dragon fruit, poppies, rice, onions and cotton. Furthermore, he revealed future plans for the area to breed up to 100 million prawns per week, primarily for the Asian market.
“It’s clear that Australia enjoys a strong position from which to build further export success,” said Frydenberg.
However, the area will need to invest in and develop land and water infrastructure, roads, rail and business, as well as better governance in the region, according to The Coalition’s whitepaper on developing Northern Australia.
“The work we are doing to reduce red tape, to expand new markets through free trade and to develop our north, particularly by improving supply chains and by developing the untapped water resources, are of enormous benefit to the agriculture sector and to Australia as a whole,” said Frydenburg.
“We have what it takes to address both the food security challenges facing our region, and to supply premium food products [for export]. The dividend for investors willing to seize these opportunities cannot be overstated.”