Forewords

Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW

Minister photo

Hon. Dugald Saunders MP

Our primary industries sector has seen another record-breaking year with Gross Value of Production (GVP) reaching $23.1 billion in NSW for the 2021-2022 financial year. This incredible result is despite some of the toughest challenges our growers and farmers have faced in recent memory, which really speaks to just how resilient they are.

In the latest GVP figures we’ve seen a 43% increase in cropping compared to last year, driven by stronger production and higher cotton, canola and wheat prices. Our livestock sector is also up thanks to higher lamb, beef and wool prices.

Although we have seen the water receding in some areas, the NSW Government is continuing to stand with those impacted by the recent devastating flooding. Our Primary Producer grants, along with the $100 million Critical Producer Grant Program has been providing primary producers with support to restore their systems and rebuild essential infrastructure to a standard that will better withstand future disasters.

We have also made the largest investment into biosecurity on record. That’s $229 million to prepare for and prevent exotic pest and disease outbreaks in our State. This includes fast tracking world first mRNA vaccines for Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease to protect Australia’s $28.7 billion livestock industry.

NSW will also have access to more local seafood, with a $5.7 million upgrade to the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute as part of our $100 million research infrastructure package to support our world-class food and fibre. And our recreational fishers won’t miss out, with 40 new projects to receive funding from the Recreational Fishing Trust to improve the health and vitality of our waterways.

We are also looking to a greener future, contributing $125 million to the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program which will provide advice on how to maximise carbon business opportunities, direct funding to projects which reduce emissions and measure environmental performance.

I am pleased to say that with all that we are doing, the NSW primary industries sector is on track to reach a GVP of $30 billion by 2030.

Director General NSW Department of Primary Industries

Scott Hansen

Scott Hansen

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is committed to maximising outcomes for NSW primary industries, the communities they support and the resources they rely on, both today and for the future.

Despite the unprecedented challenges of the past 12 months, including COVID-19, biosecurity incursions and widespread flooding, DPI is pleased to have been dynamic in working with primary producers to achieve another record Gross Value of Production (GVP) of $23.1 billion for the NSW primary industries sector.

Large winter and summer crops have come at a time of high global prices, even accounting for lower crop quality after a wet winter harvest, while our livestock producers continued rebuilding herd and flock numbers, boosting turnoff and production.

Export demands also continued to grow, as new markets sought our clean and green food and fibre.

DPI remains focused on delivering a broad range of initiatives across the State including research and development to grow our agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors; and regulation and administration of biosecurity, food safety, animal welfare and hunting in NSW.

We will also continue to play a role in preparing for, respond to and assist in recovery from animal and plant biosecurity emergencies, natural disasters and other emergencies affecting the sector, as well as international market access support and export enhancement across a range of products and industries.

DPI is committed to achieving our goal to reach $30 billion in GVP by 2030, and are on track to do so, which is a testament to the work of our investments and our State’s hard working primary producers.