Western Australia’s
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Overview Agriculture in the South West region of Western Australia continues to show strength. Production has increased by 25 per cent over the past decade to $613 million, which is realised from 2,671 farms covering 606,000 hectares. Farms are efficient with a broad cross section that ranges from horticulture and viticulture to dairy and beef production. The South West accounts for 11 per cent of the value of State production which includes 90 per cent of the State’s milk and avocado supplies. Fruit, vegetables and wine grapes are also significant contributors to the value of production in the South West. Water from surface and ground water sources and reliable rainfall coupled to a Mediterranean climate equip the South West region well for agricultural production. Close links to the Perth metropolitan area and Fremantle Port, through an efficient road and rail system, provide the logistics support that is essential to enable production from a wide area to be assembled and presented to local and export markets. A container service through the Bunbury port is currently under investigation. A well-managed forestry industry produces hardwood and softwood timbers and woodchips from natural forests and plantations. Investment opportunities The absence of major pests, pollution and disease makes the South West the ideal setting for agricultural development and investment: Introduction of new crop varieties such as avocados, asparagus and green tea Wine grape production Aquaculture development such as marron and abalone farming Dairy processing Feed lotting Meat processing Competitive advantages The region’s geographic isolation and leading quarantine and monitoring regime help preserve a reputation for high quality production. Proximity to Asian markets, extensive free trade agreements and counter-seasonal production for the northern hemisphere means that trans- national companies sourcing from Australia can deliver produce throughout the year. Competitiveness for agribusiness is derived from locally-developed production methods and technologies, international research and development collaborations. Continual innovation in farm machinery, sophisticated plant and animal breeding programs, and intelligent transport solutions underpin the ability of the South West agriculture sector to present world-class commodities to markets. Future imperatives Reducing salinity and unlocking surface water reserves to support higher value land use, such as intensive horticulture. Establishing fast and efficient transport linkages to domestic and international (South-east Asia) markets. Manage the impacts of climate change to ensure that productivity is at least maintained. Establish market certainty for the dairy industry. AGRICULTURE Western Australia’s South West South West Development Commission PO Box 2000 Bunbury Western Australia 6231 +61 8 9792 2000 [email protected] www.swdc.wa.gov.au GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Transcript of Western Australia’s
Overview
Agriculture in the South West region of Western Australia continues to show strength.
Production has increased by 25 per cent over the past decade to $613 million, which is realised from 2,671 farms covering 606,000 hectares. Farms are efficient with a broad cross section that ranges from horticulture and viticulture to dairy and beef production.
The South West accounts for 11 per cent of the value of State production which includes 90 per cent of the State’s milk and avocado supplies. Fruit, vegetables and wine grapes are also significant contributors to the value of production in the South West.
Water from surface and ground water sources and reliable rainfall coupled to a Mediterranean climate equip the South West region well for agricultural production. Close links to the Perth metropolitan area and Fremantle Port, through an efficient road and rail system, provide the logistics support that is essential to enable production from a wide area to be assembled and presented to local and export markets. A container service through the Bunbury port is currently under investigation.
A well-managed forestry industry produces hardwood and softwood timbers and woodchips from natural forests and plantations.
Investment opportunities
The absence of major pests, pollution and disease makes the South West the ideal setting for agricultural development and investment:
Introduction of new crop varieties such as avocados, asparagus and green tea
Wine grape production
Aquaculture development such as marron and abalone farming
Dairy processing
Feed lotting
Meat processing
Competitive advantages
The region’s geographic isolation and leading quarantine and monitoring regime help preserve a reputation for high quality production. Proximity to Asian markets, extensive free trade agreements and counter-seasonal production for the northern hemisphere means that trans-national companies sourcing from Australia can deliver produce throughout the year.
Competitiveness for agribusiness is derived from locally-developed production methods and technologies, international research and development collaborations. Continual innovation in farm machinery, sophisticated plant and animal breeding programs, and intelligent transport solutions underpin the ability of the South West agriculture sector to present world-class commodities to markets.
Future imperatives
Reducing salinity and unlocking surface water reserves to support higher value land use, such as intensive horticulture.
Establishing fast and efficient transport linkages to domestic and international (South-east Asia) markets.
Manage the impacts of climate change to ensure that productivity is at least maintained.
Establish market certainty for the dairy industry.
AGRICULTURE
Western Australia’s South West
South West Development CommissionPO Box 2000 Bunbury Western Australia 6231+61 8 9792 2000 [email protected] www.swdc.wa.gov.au
GOVERNMENT OFWESTERN AUSTRALIA
