Regional Output

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Regional Output

2016 Natural Resource Management Region

State Top Industries

At the date of publication, 2018-19 data is not yet available, consequently the following regional commentary analyses 2017–18 industry data.

Eastern

(North Coast, Hunter, Greater Sydney, South East)

The eastern coastal region supported a diverse range of primary industries with 3.5 million hectares of agricultural holdings across 8,006 agricultural businesses. Combined they contributed 25% of the total primary industries output, valued at $3.5 billion in 2017–18ac, 17, 18 .

Of this output, livestock and livestock products production was the primary contributor with six of the top ten industries by value and approximately 54% of output. Cattle production was the highest value industry at $621 million and distributed quite evenly across the region. Poultry was the next largest industry at $407 million, followed by milk production at $362 million.

This region has concentrated pockets of production. Of the state’s poultry and egg production, 45% and 51% respectively occurred in the Hunter and Sydney basin. The state’s largest nursery, turf and mushroom industries are located in the Sydney basin, and each contributed in excess of 44% of the state’s respective industry output in 2017–18.

The North Coast is a significant region for certain industries, with the largest proportion of macadamias ($93 million), sugar cane ($83 million) and avocados ($43 million) produced here. Livestock production is focused in the South East region, with cattle, sheep, wool and dairy making up 83% of the regions Output.

The region is also significant for the state’s forestry, commercial fisheries and aquaculture industries, with an estimated combined value of $524 million in 2017–18ad, ae, 1, 54. Hardwood forestry production occurs in the North Coast and South Coast, while some softwood plantations occur in the ranges and tablelands areas bordering the east. A range of aquaculture industries also operate in the region with Sydney Rock Oyster production the mainstay, occurring throughout numerous coastal estuaries.

Northern

(Northern Tablelands, North West)

The inland northern area of the state contributed $2.8 billion in agricultural output in 2017–18, 20% of the state’s total. The region hosted 18% of NSW agricultural holdings, across 7.7 million hectares and supported 4,470 agricultural businessesac, 17, 18.

This western part of this region includes significant broadacre and irrigated cropping industries, and was the largest producer of cattle with a value of $696 million. The most significant crop was cotton, worth $959 million and 59% of the state’s production value.

Wheat and barley production were worth a combined $326 million and the region saw the state’s largest production of pulse crops (mainly chickpeas) and sorghum. The Northern Tablelands supplied the major portion of tomato production, with a value of $31 million.

Cattle production was split evenly between the tablelands and the western areas. Sheep and wool production combined contributed $262 million, and there was significant poultry and egg production valued at $143 million, particularly in the tablelands areas near Tamworth.

Central

(Central Tablelands, Central West)

The central inland region’s primary industries output was worth $2.3 billion in 2017–18. The region had the second largest agricultural holdings (9.2 million hectares) and number of businesses (5,670) in the stateac, 17, 18. Mixed farming is a significant characteristic of this region.

Extensive livestock industries were an important farming system in the region, headlined by cattle production at $498 million. The state’s second largest wool and sheep industries, valued at $406 million and $295 million respectively, and a sizeable milk industry worth $55 million, were also supported within the region.

The largest cropping industry in the region was wheat, valued at $325 million. Cotton production in the Lachlan and Macquarie valleys was significant, at $233 million. Other key industries included a range of crops such as canola, barley and lucerne.

South

(Riverina, Murray)

A diverse range of agriculture occurred in the southern part of the state, a large portion of which was irrigated. This region had the highest agricultural output, valued at $4.7 billion in 2017–18, generated across 8.7 million hectares of agricultural holdings and 6,160 agricultural businessesac, 17, 18.

The region had the state’s largest fruit and nut industry, with key products being oranges ($111 million), almonds ($17 million) and melons ($19 million). Wine grapes were also an important contributor, valued at $137 million.

Livestock production played an important role, with cattle the largest contributor to the overall output at $507 million. The region also had the largest wool output of $445 million and sheep meat output of $324 million.

Broadacre and irrigated cropping was important for the region, with cotton production growing to $373 million. The region had more than 99% of the national rice crop, valued at $241 million. Wheat, canola and barley were also major industries, with a combined value of $1,278 million, the highest across the state.

West

(Western)

The western region is the largest by area, encompassing 23.3 million hectares of agricultural holdings, 45% of the state’s total. Output in the region was $670 million in 2017–18, significantly impacted by prolonged periods of drought.

Extensive livestock operations were key industries for the region, with sheep and wool making up a combined value of $233 million, while cattle contributed another $64 million.

Horticulture production, located in irrigation regions such as the Lower Darling and Murray, produced significant crops, including 47% of the state’s output of almonds, and 41% of the state’s output of melons. Viticulture was a major industry for the region, with a value of $150 million split between table and wine grapes.

Pockets of cropping production also contributed to the region’s output. Cotton, located mainly around Bourke, was worth $63 million. Wheat production also made a valuable contribution at $48 million, mainly in the east and southern areas of this region.

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